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2023: Persons with disabilities lament exclusion by political parties
2023: Persons with disabilities lament exclusion by political parties
The Joint National Association of People with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Anambra, had lamented the exclusion of its members in the various activities of political parties ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Mr Ugochukwu Okeke, Chairman, JONAPWD, expressed the displeasure at a news conference in Awka, on Friday, to mark the 4th anniversary of the Anambra State Disabilities Rights Law 2018.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Anambra State Disability Rights Bills 2015 was passed into law by the state legislative chamber on Sept. 13, 2018, and was on Dec. 18, 2018 signed into law by former Gov. Willie Obiano.
Okeke said that persons with disabilities are underrepresented in the activities of political parties and their priorities are systematically neglected.
He said it was risky to take for granted a body with large number of persons, particularly in a democracy, saying that the group will take advantage of their numerical strength to demonstrate their relevance during the polls.
“We have discovered that political parties do not have plans to include persons with disabilities (PWDs) in their structures. They are supposed to reserve certain positions for PWDs, at least at the ward level to motivate our members.
“All of them have women leaders, youth leaders and others, but do not have disability leaders, who will help in mobilising our members.
“Besides, some parties hold their meetings not just late in the night, but upstairs where PWDs will find it difficult to access. Some of them do not have interpreters to ensure that the deaf and dumb among us are carried along.
“The parties should understand that politics is a game of number and we have the number. Infact, we are preparing seriously ahead of the general elections to use our number to make a statement in Anambra,” he said.
Okeke, however, blamed some of its members for their reluctance to identify with different political parties of their choice in the state.
“Some of the challenges are internal. Some of us do not like identifying with political parties and I believe that if you do not belong anywhere, nobody will identify you.
“We have been encouraging our members to identify with political parties of their choices so they can have the bargaining powers to make demands,” he said.
Also speaking, Mrs Amaka Anadumaka, Desk Officer, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, said the corps had the duty to protect the rights of PWDs.
She enjoined the leadership of PWDs not to relent in notifying the security agencies of any threat to its members.
2023: Persons with disabilities lament exclusion by political parties
Fourteen Abducted Victims Released in Maru, Zamfara State; Two Killed in Captivity
By: Zagazola Makama
Fourteen victims abducted in December 2025, including six family members of Inspector Hussaini Abubakar of Maru Police Division, have been released by their captors.
Zagazola reliably gathered that the release occurred at about 1:00 p.m. on Feb. 26, 2026. Unfortunately, two of the victims, identified as Bashir Marafa, aged 45, and Halliru Kabiru, aged 50, were killed while in captivity.
Sources added that a pregnant woman among the abductees delivered a baby girl while in captivity. The victims are currently receiving medical attention at the General Hospital, Maru.
Fourteen Abducted Victims Released in Maru, Zamfara State; Two Killed in Captivity
Two Abducted Victims Rescued in Tsafe, Zamfara; One Killed in Bandit Attack at Talata Mafara
By: Zagazola Makama
Two persons abducted earlier this month in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been rescued, while a separate bandit attack in Talata Mafara LGA left one person dead and others missing.
Sources confirmed that Bashir Adamu Iyatawa, 42, and Kenneth Allahmagani, 35, both from Zaria City, Kaduna State, were abducted at Unguwar Chida Village in Tsafe on Feb. 16, 2026.
They were rescued on Feb. 26, debriefed, and later taken to a hospital for medical attention before being handed over to their relatives.
In a separate incident, armed bandits loyal to a local bandit leader, Na Sanda, attacked the outskirts of Jangebe town in Talata Mafara LGA on Feb. 27 at about 2:00 a.m.
The attack resulted in the death of Misbawu Aminu, 30, and the abduction of an unspecified number of persons to an undisclosed location.
Joint troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA and local vigilante groups are reported to be pursuing the fleeing bandits. Authorities have assured that efforts to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the culprits are ongoing.
Two Abducted Victims Rescued in Tsafe, Zamfara; One Killed in Bandit Attack at Talata Mafara
Boko Haram Attack on CJTF Leaves One Dead in Gwoza, Borno state
By: Zagazola Makama
One member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) was killed following an ambush by suspected ISWAP terrorists along the Warave–Gwoza Road in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources said the incident occurred on February 25 at about 7:30 a.m. when gunmen attacked members of the CJTF and hunters on routine patrol. Fifty-year-old Bello Adamu, a member of the CJTF, was fatally injured in the attack.
Army troops of Operation HADIN KAI, Police Tactical Units, and CJTF personnel visited the scene, documented the incident, and evacuated the victim to Gwoza General Hospital, where he was certified dead on arrival. His body was released to his family for burial according to Islamic rites.
Monitoring of the area continues to prevent further attacks.
Boko Haram Attack on CJTF Leaves One Dead in Gwoza, Borno state
Fourteen Abducted Victims Released in Maru, Zamfara State; Two Killed in Captivity
Two Abducted Victims Rescued in Tsafe, Zamfara; One Killed in Bandit Attack at Talata Mafara
Boko Haram Attack on CJTF Leaves One Dead in Gwoza, Borno state
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