Police Spokesman Gambo Isah announced this in Katsina at a Women Summit entitled: “Way Out to Rising Rape Cases in Katsina State”.

The summit was organised by the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in collaboration with Al’ umma Support Initiative.

Isah said that 236 rape cases were reported to the police across the state during the period under review.

He said that most of the victims were between three years of age and 14 years of age.

Isah said that the suspects had been charged to courts.

He also said that the police apprehended 22 suspects for committing offences during the period.

The police spokesman observed that cultism, drug abuse and viewing phonographic pictures and videos by rapists were some of the factors that influenced them to commit rape.

He further observed that parental neglect and poor upbringing on the part of the parents also contributed to the high rate of the menace.

In her remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Girl-child Education and Development, Hajia Amina Lawal, advocated death penalty  for rapists.

She said that death punishment was  the only solution to the menace in the society.

Also speaking, the Commissioner, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Umar Yau Gojo-gojo, said that  the summit was timely in view of the high rate of rape cases in the state.

He advised that similar event should be organised at various local government areas of the state to educate people on the effects of rape and the need to take precautionary measures.

Gojo-gojo advised people to pray to God to bring an end to the problem.(NAN)