A human rights activist is raising the alarm over what he describes as gross negligence by the Rivers State Police Command in handling the alleged rape of a minor.
Human rights activist and advocate, Harrison Gwamnishu, has called out officers of the Rivers State Police Command, accusing them of mismanaging the investigation into the alleged rape of a 10-year-old girl, Rihanat Alabi, reportedly perpetrated by her family’s landlord.
A Child’s Cry for Justice
In a country where cases involving vulnerable children often get swept under the rug, Gwamnishu — known for his relentless advocacy for the oppressed — has refused to allow this case die in silence. The activist is demanding accountability from law enforcement officers who, according to him, have failed woefully in their duty to protect and seek justice for young Rihanat.
The 10-year-old girl allegedly suffered the unimaginable at the hands of the very person her family trusted as their landlord — a stark reminder that danger does not always come from strangers.
Activist Accuses Police of Negligence
Gwamnishu, who has built a reputation for confronting injustice head-on, levelled serious allegations against the Rivers State Police Command, suggesting that officers handling the case have not approached it with the urgency and diligence it deserves.
Such accusations are unfortunately not new in Nigeria, where survivors and their families frequently report encountering indifference, delays, and in some cases, outright sabotage from law enforcement when it comes to sexual violence cases — particularly those involving minors.
Why This Case Matters
Nigeria’s Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act exist specifically to protect children like Rihanat from abuse and to ensure perpetrators face the full weight of the law. When the very institutions established to enforce these laws allegedly look the other way, it sends a dangerous message — that powerful individuals can escape accountability while victims are left to suffer in silence.
Cases like this one are a call to action for every Nigerian — parents, community leaders, civil society organisations, and ordinary citizens — to demand better from those entrusted with upholding justice.
The Role of Activists in Filling the Gap
Harrison Gwamnishu’s intervention highlights a troubling reality: in the absence of reliable institutional protection, activists and civil society groups often serve as the last line of defence for Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens. From the streets of Port Harcourt to Lagos and Abuja, advocates are increasingly stepping up where the system fails.
But activism alone cannot substitute for a functional justice system. The Rivers State Police Command must respond to these allegations transparently and demonstrate — through concrete action — that no case of child abuse will be treated with levity.
What Needs to Happen Now
– The Rivers State Police Command must provide a clear and public update on the status of the investigation
– The suspected landlord must be held accountable if found culpable
– Rihanat and her family deserve adequate support, including medical care and psychosocial assistance
– Relevant authorities, including the Rivers State Ministry of Women Affairs and the National Human Rights Commission, should step in to monitor the case
Justice for Rihanat is not just a family matter — it is a societal obligation. Nigeria must do better for its children.
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