Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, says Nigeria recorded a total of 717 rape cases nationwide between January and May this year.
The IGP made this disclosure on Monday following protests organised across the country against increasing cases of rape and defilement of minors.
Recently, a 22-year-old student of the University of Benin, Vera Omozuwa, was reportedly raped and killed in a church in Benin City, Edo State.
18-year-old Barakat Bello was also raped and had to death in Ibadan, Oyo State, recently.
The development led to last week’s decision by the Federal Executive Council to go tough on culprits.
But Adamu, who addressed State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday, said out of the 717 cases of rape, investigations had been concluded in 631 cases with the suspects already in court, while investigations were still ongoing in the remaining 52 cases.
About 799 suspects were arrested in connection with the cases, the IGP said, after he met President Muhammadu Buhari along with the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; and the Minister of Women Affairs Development, Pauline Tallen.
Adamu said, “It has come to the public knowledge now that because of the COVID-19 restrictions, we have a surge in cases of rape and gender-based violence.
“Law enforcement agents have been dealing with these cases, and in most cases, members of the public are not aware of the actions that the law enforcement agents have been taking.
“The Nigeria Police so far from January to May 2020 has recorded about 717 rape incidents that were reported across the country. About 799 suspects have been arrested, 631 cases conclusively investigated and charged to court and 52 cases are left and under investigation.
“The police, other security agencies, and other Non-Governmental Organisations have been collaborating to see to it that these cases of rape and gender-based violence are dealt with.”