BAYELSA FIRST LADY ASSURES ASSAULT VICTIM OF PROTECTION, EDUCATION SUPPORT

Dr. Gloria Diri, the wife of the Bayelsa State Governor, has pledged safety and educational support for 19-year-old Nancy Wilfred, who was recently assaulted by fellow students of the Federal University, Otuoke.

In a statement issued through her press secretary, Maria Olodi-Osumah, the First Lady said she had taken custody of Nancy and offered her a full scholarship up to university level. She described the assault, which went viral on social media, as barbaric and unacceptable.

Dr. Gloria stressed that no society should condone such acts of lawlessness and assured that those behind the attack would face justice. She said Nancy would immediately undergo medical examination and confirmed that the police had been directed to track down the suspects.

“As a mother, I find it heartbreaking that Nancy has been struggling on her own before this cruel incident. The law will certainly take its course,” she said.

She urged parents to take greater responsibility in guiding their children, warning that adolescents must be discouraged from engaging in social vices. She added that the state’s Gender Response Initiative Team is available to provide medical and psychological support for survivors of gender-based violence.

Nancy, a native of Imo State who resides in Yenagoa, has received wide public sympathy after the video of her assault sparked outrage across social media platforms.

By Joy Christopher