Group says 43 women, girls were raped in 7 IDP camps

Human Rights Watch has said a total of 43 women and girls were raped, abused and sexually exploited by security operatives in

According to the report, which was published by Premium Times, the Human Rights Watch claimed that some of the culprits of the nefarious abuse against women and girls in the IDP camps include include camp leaders, vigilante groups, policemen, and soldiers.

The rights group stressed that the Federal Government was not doing enough to protect displaced women and girls who have been displaced by the conflict with Boko Haram.

The Human Rights Watch further said culprits of the acts have continued to engage in the exploitation of the women and girls because the victims do not have access to basic rights and services or to sanction their abusers.

Mausi Segun, senior Nigeria researcher at Human Rights Watch said: “It is bad enough that these women and girls are not getting much-needed support for the horrific trauma they suffered at the hands of Boko Haram.

“It is disgraceful and outrageous that people who should protect these women and girls are attacking and abusing them,” he said.

One of the victims a 17-year-old girl said a policeman in the camp had approached her for “friendship” but ultimately raped her and when she found out she was pregnant, he threatened to kill her if she told anyone.

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In her words: “One day he demanded to have sex with me,” she said. “I refused but he forced me. It happened just that one time, but soon I realized I was pregnant. When I informed him about my condition, he threatened to shoot and kill me if I told anyone else. So I was too afraid to report him.”

It was further gathered that while four of the victims revealed that they were drugged and raped by their abusers, 37 others claimed to have been coerced into sex through false marriage promises and material and financial assistance.