The House of Representatives has mandated the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, to immediately commission and take over the investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators of the rape and murder of Miss Iniubong Ephraim Umoren who went to search for a job and got killed.

The House condemns in strong terms the act of sexual assault, barbaric, inhuman, and gruesome murder of Miss Umoren, consequently mandated the Inspector General of Police to ensure the protection of her family members from harassment, intimidation, and harm.

The resolutions followed a motion raised by Hon. Unyime Idem (PDP, Akwa Ibom) during plenary.

In his brief, Hon. Idem explained that on April 30, 2021, the anti-kidnapping squad of the Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) received a criminal report on the disappearance of Miss Iniubong Ephraim Umoren who left her house on a fateful day in search of employment.

He noted that the deceased, Miss Umoren was a graduate of the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State who was without employment since her graduation from the University.

His words:, “Available information has it that she received a phone call from the assailant who pretentiously called her and invited her to a false interview of an advertised job.

“The innocent Miss Iniubong Umoren was later found dead by the Officers of the Nigeria Police Force after an official report and with the help of a wide reportage of her disappearance and information of the false interview on social media platforms. Her body was further exhumed where it was buried in a shallow grave by her assailant.

“It has been reported that the assailant upon his arrest by the police and subsequent voluntary confession boasted that he is well connected and will be released from the Police custody scot-free in a matter of days.

“The family members of the deceased have reportedly raised an alarm of receiving strange phone calls and threats of various degrees and have been asked to withdraw the case”.

“The Nigeria Police Force has been reporting a surging high record in rape and gender violation across the country. Unfortunately, a very scary number of cases have been reported daily with thousands unreported. These acts are gross violations of human rights to dignity, life, and sexuality, said the PDP lawmaker.

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He stressed that the public outrage on account of rape and other violent crimes against women and the girl-child should not go unpunished as a deterrent for the perpetrators and others nursing the thought to forestall future occurrences.

The motion got majority support  following which the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development was mandated to monitor  investigation and prosecution and ensure the IGP complies with the resolution

A minute silence in honour of the deceased and other victims of rape and various abuses  was observed by the lawmakers