The act of sexual perversion by fathers of their daughters is fast becoming a fad in Nigeria. This sexual violation of their girl-child is nothing but a decline of moral values in the society. Just imagine a situation whereby a father suddenly takes interest in his daughter. It is a high level of abuse and perversion because these daughters are forced to submit to their father’s persuasion against their own will.
The genesis of incestuous fathers who are daily having carnal knowledge of their children is not only a sacrilegious act but, to a large extent a criminal act and the highest form of depravity. With what we are witnessing today in Nigeria, we are indeed in perilous times, and every act draws the nation to a divine judgement. Funny enough, daily, the media report cases of fathers, uncles, cousins or nephews violating their daughters, nieces or house girls with impunity. And unfortunately, the laws of the country have not been able to deal with these “randy fathers” as expected by Nigerians and they keep having their ways just as homosexuality is fast becoming a fad among Nigerian men and some spiritually deranged church leaders.
This act calls for serious action by the government as cases of fathers sleeping with their daughters are on the increase and the victims face not only emotional trauma but also stigmatisation. What worsens the matter is that the perpetrators are so rapacious in their act that even a one-year-old child is not spared. When this act is thoroughly examined, there is no justification for men sleeping with their daughters because it is only mentally deranged or morally and spiritually bankrupt men who have amorous acts with their own daughters. A father is expected to protect their own children, but in Nigeria today, they turn them into sexual objects.
Nigeria is a country of “crude” cultured men. Some of these pernicious acts are committed under duress without the consent of the victims. In homes, mothers act in ignorance and passivity even when they are aware of the sexual perversion, but hide under culture and obedience to their husbands; the children, on the other hand, are compelled not to disrespect fathers so their fathers cajole them, and even when they have the guts to tell their mothers, they are told that it is an abomination and so keep quiet and endure the psychological trauma.
However, the psychological effect of this act on the child is not only enormous but dangerous. For instance, such a child cannot help without having a very good relationship with the father and can’t stop being in such an abusive relationship even when she grows old. She is stuck in such a relationship because she is already psychologically abused, and most of these abused children become prostitutes. As usual, such children are the types that normally date older men because they have been sleeping with their fathers in the past.
So far so good, in Nigeria, with increasing and endless incestuous cases in the land, the government is not serious enough to prosecute these predatory fathers and criminals who could not control their libido. In law, incest is a criminal act, and Biblically, the issue of incest is highly condemned because it is an ungodly act. But on a larger scale, this criminal act is unabated in some parts of the country, with the government not having the temerity to bring them before a competent court of jurisdiction. And if this wicked act keeps going on unpunished, it can destroy the institution of marriage and the reputation of the country. In truth, the sexual relationship between fathers and daughters is forbidden under the penal code of Nigeria, and it attracts some measure of punishment according to law. Something must be done quickly to arrest this ugly development before it becomes the order of the day, especially for a country like Nigeria that has disregard for the scriptures and God because of what some busybodies call human rights.
Now that some “homosexuals” in the land are defending homosexuality and lesbianism as human rights, and some politicians are advocating for kids as wives. What do you think of the re-enactment of what one renowned music producer said that he sleeps and bear children for daughter because he wanted to create his own kingdom on earth? With all these atrocities going on in the country, how are we sure such men will not rise in Nigeria and form an association that will start defending their acts as the right thing to do? After all, “Na my pikin, na me born am and I fit do wetin I want with my pikin”. This may be the sing-song of these depraved men and their supporters if the Government does not move quickly to check these dangerous acts of devilish men and their compatriots-in-crime.
Therefore, the government need to move swiftly because a father sleeping with his daughter is a sign of depravity. According to the law, Chapter 21 of the Criminal Code, Section 214-234 deals with incestuous acts and issues against nature. Under Section 218 of the Criminal Code, a man that had carnal knowledge with a girl under 15 years goes for life imprisonment. For a boy under 14 years, the person faces seven years in jail, and for sex that is against the order of nature, like man to man (homosexual), woman to woman (Lesbianism), the penalty is 14 years. Section 234 also deals with father-to-daughter with heavy penalties.
Even the issue of sleeping with animals or gay marriage is also forbidden by the express provision of the criminal code. However, the question is why are these “randy fathers” not prosecuted on a daily basis as provided by the law? Why is criminality the order of the day? Is the law an ass? Is it fear or complicity by law enforcement agents or both? But if the government takes decisive action and criminals are apprehended, prosecuted and sentenced to jail, then the incidence of these acts will be grossly reduced in our country.
So, with the rampant nature of children being forcefully deflowered by their fathers, the only solution is that religious organisations and the government of the day have a lot to do on their part. Victims must be free to report such cases. The issue of stigmatisation should not come in at all, and the level of advocacy must be stepped up to eradicate this malignant problem that is fast becoming a way of life for some criminally minded fathers, uncles, neighbours, cousins and nephews. Also, as a way of getting out of this circle, sex education must be taught at all levels in our schools. Children must be educated that they can’t have sex with their daughters, mothers, fathers or relatives and the criminal implications if such a crime is committed.
Society must be involved in the termination of this criminal act. Parents who come home late should put techniques to monitor their cousins, brothers and nephews who stays with them to nip in bud any behaviour that is inimical and dangerous to their lives and the family. That is why kudos must be given to the Lagos State Government, which has prosecuted some fathers who had carnal knowledge of their daughters. Similarly, the opening of a Black Book called the Sexual Offenders Register by the Ekiti State government is a step in the right direction. According to Ekiti State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Olawale Fapohunda, “this step will serve as a deterrent to men (especially fathers), who find pleasure in assaulting women and young girls”. We need more steps like this if we, as a people and nation, are serious about checking the ugly trend in Nigeria today.
********************Akinlade-Daniel, lives in Lagos. E-mail:oyeveshodaniel@gmail.com
