A panel has
been set up to investigate the abuse of students of Federal Government Girls
College (FGGC), Langtang, Plateau state.
The national executives of the Old Girls
Association of the Federal Government Girls College (FLOGA), Langtang,
disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The Cable had done an undercover investigation
that exposed how security guards employed to protect students pimp them to
strangers. One guard had given an insight into how he organises “runs” for the
teenagers for a fee, and how this is a common practice. The old students
confirmed that they had received reports about the illegal act but there was no
means of confirmation.
“There has been a lot of furore raised by the
recent publication made by The Cable Newspapers about the pimping of students
by a security guard at FGGC Langtang,” the statement read. “The exco would like
to state the following: Rumours of pimping of students at the school were rife
and got to a head early last year, 2016.
Several efforts made by the exco to
investigate; including engaging with the former principal proved abortive as
there was no substantiating evidence to prove these claims. “Subsequently, the
exco approached the leadership of USOSA with a report of the rumours and
obtained their commitment to investigate.
USOSA worked with the undercover journalists
at The Cable and the publication is a result of their investigative efforts.
“While the investigation is inconclusive and stopped short of actually
indicting anyone directly, the story has thrown up quite a number of issues too
grave to be handled with levity. “FLOGA has been in touch with the school
authorities and the principal, Mrs Laura Dogo, has constituted a high powered
panel to investigate these claims. Being a mother herself, she is appalled at
the claims and will do all that is in her power to get to the bottom of
things.” The association also urged victims or “anyone with evidence” to speak
out. “Having conducted a walk during her AGM, which held recently, to create
awareness and drum up support for victims of domestic
violence and
child rape, the exco are aghast that such an issue should even come up in the
first place,” the statement read. Therefore, we will continue to work with the
authorities and push for far-reaching investigations into this matter. If the
claims are substantiated and any person or groups of persons are found
culpable, then the full force of the law must be brought down upon them. “In
keeping with our drive to break the silence, FLOGA wishes to commend those
amongst us who have come forward to share their experience.
We do not condemn anyone. In fact, we welcome
others to speak up if indeed they have had a first-hand experience of sexual
harassment while in school. “Anyone with concrete evidence of pimping or any
such activity in the school should please come forward.
Each case
will be treated with the strictest confidence and identities of victims
protected. “The exco would, however, crave the indulgence of everyone to
refrain from sensationalising the issue. “Other issues thrown up by the
publication including the state of infrastructure at the school and
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