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ActionAid Calls for Stop in Infanticide

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ActionAid Calls for Stop in Infanticide


… Rescues over 100 babies from Killing in Partnership with Vine Heritage Foundation

By: Michael Mike

ActionAid Nigeria has called for immediate stop in infanticide and social profiling of children with distinct birth.

The non governmental organisation on Friday said it was wrong and unacceptable at this age and time that people are still involved in activities that they term as cultural belief and practices of killing of twins, which include multiple births.

ActionAid said the negative profiling does not exclude children who lost their mothers during birth who are believed to be witches and wizards, children born with albinism are not allowed to live, children who grew the upper teeth first are meant to be evil, children who are born with deformities are also believed to have demonic manipulation on them and so they don’t allow them to live .

The Action aid Nigeria as part of his activities for this year and its commitment to collaborating with social movements and citizens to tackle poverty and social injustice across Nigeria, has scheduled to pay a visit to Vine Heritage Home Foundation (VHHF) in Kuje community, Abuja together with board and general assembly members for the main purpose of making children feel good or have sense of belonging.

While speaking during the visit to the Foundation, the Country Director of ActionAid, Mr Andrew Mamedu: “We came upon Vine Heritage Home, and we just naturally got started working with them. The reason was simple. This is an epitome of what ActionAid stands for, fighting for injustice and poverty. So this is an epitome of injustice and poverty where we have man or human inhumanity to human or to children in this instance, and that, of course, attracted us to them. And since then, we have been working closely.

“We partnered with the European Union to put up this edifice. And of course, we have seen a lot of transformation over the year, a positive transformation, improvement in vines heritage. When we first met them, they had about 160 children, and these are children that have been rescued from infanticide. But as of today August 9th, 2024 we have about 203 children and while about 30 has been reconciled back to their family.”

Although, he expected that the number ought to have been reduced but reverse is the case and that alone show that people are still practicing infanticide.

“The amazing things is that, 64 communities around FCT are still practicing infanticide, the good thing is, from the time when we started the number has come down to about 60. So, that means four community have stopped the practice. But it also means that one way or the other, they still bring children here and people are still practicing this ungodly act.”

The founder of Vine Heritage Home Founded, Mr Steven Olusola who complained about some of the challenges faced, said: “What we had in mind before was that as those communities are changing their mind concerning the killing of twins we will be integrating children back to their community but we discovered that some community who have been killing children in silence are now ready to hand them over to us and the number keep on increasing.

“So he appeal to the Government to continue in their efforts in making sure that the practice of infanticide should be totally abolished In FCT. So we need to sustain our advocacy and the awareness that no child should be killed because of the circumstances of their birth.”

ActionAid Calls for Stop in Infanticide

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Hisbah in Katsina Brutalizes Lady in a Case of Lawlessness and Impunity

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Hisbah in Katsina Brutalizes Lady in a Case of Lawlessness and Impunity

By Zagazola Makama

The brutal assault of a young woman, Hauwa’u Lawal Suleiman, and her sisters at the Katsina Hisbah office on April 15 has triggered widespread outrage and drawn fresh attention to the conduct of the state’s religious enforcement agency.

Eyewitnesses say Hauwa’u had gone to the Hisbah office to inquire about relatives allegedly detained by the operatives. What began as a simple inquiry reportedly ended in violence, as she was assaulted by about 20 Hisbah personnel, resulting in serious injuries, including a fracture. Her sisters, who were present and pleaded with the operatives to stop the attack, were also allegedly beaten and subjected to degrading treatment.

The shocking incident has once again raised concerns over the operational methods and legal limitations of Hisbah in Katsina State. While the agency is mandated to enforce moral standards under Sharia principles, critics argue that its operatives often act outside the bounds of the Nigerian constitution and without adherence to due process.

Legal experts say that although Hisbah is legally recognized under state law, it remains obligated to operate within the confines of the Nigerian legal framework. The growing number of complaints about unlawful raids, arbitrary arrests, and use of physical punishment without judicial oversight has led to calls for a comprehensive review of its operations.

Civic groups and legal observers in Katsina cite this latest incident as part of a broader pattern of human rights abuses allegedly carried out by Hisbah. They allege that the agency disproportionately targets young people, women, and the poor under vague pretexts such as “immoral gatherings” or “suspicious behavior.”

The Katsina State Government has yet to issue an official response to the incident. However, increasing public pressure is mounting for a full-scale investigation and disciplinary actions against any operatives found culpable. The absence of formal law enforcement training, lack of investigative procedures, and limited understanding of suspects’ rights are being pointed out as contributing factors to Hisbah’s alleged misconduct.

In a related development, Amnesty International has issued a strong condemnation of the assault, describing it as “lawless and callous.” The organization called on the Katsina State Government to immediately investigate the incident and hold the perpetrators accountable.

“Suspected Hisbah operatives that played a role in the assault on Hauwa’u Lawal Suleiman and her sisters must be identified and tried for gross violation of human rights,” Amnesty said in a statement.

The human rights group also alleged that the Hisbah in Katsina has routinely violated citizens’ rights through illegal raids and arbitrary punishments, particularly targeting women and youths. It warned that the unchecked actions of the agency were fostering a climate of fear and impunity.

“Hisbah cannot operate outside of the law. Failure of the Katsina State Government to subject Hisbah to legal accountability breeds and perpetuates impunity, creating a toxic climate of fear,” Amnesty added.

As the dust settles on this disturbing incident, the state faces renewed demands for regulatory clarity, institutional reform, and justice for the victims. For many observers, this case could be a turning point in how religious law enforcement is balanced with the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens.

Hisbah in Katsina Brutalizes Lady in a Case of Lawlessness and Impunity

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Herder killed, 40 cows rustled in Taraba village

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Herder killed, 40 cows rustled in Taraba village

By Zagazola Makama

A 30-year-old herder, Muazu Anaruwa, was killed and 40 cows rustled by suspected bandits in Kogon Dutse village, Old Muri district of Taraba State.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the incident, which occurred on April 22, came to light after Muazu’s father, Alhaji Audu Anaruwa, reported that his son had gone out to graze their cattle but failed to return home.

Police operative later discovered Muazu’s body in the grazing area, bearing what appeared to be a bullet wound, while all the livestock were missing.

Local sources described the attack as a case of banditry and cattle rustling. The body of the deceased was evacuated to the Primary Healthcare Centre in Andami, where a medical officer confirmed his death.

He has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

Police say efforts are ongoing within the local security network, including hunters and vigilantes, to track the perpetrators and recover the stolen cattle.

Herder killed, 40 cows rustled in Taraba village

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Three suspects arrested in Plateau, firearm recovered

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Three suspects arrested in Plateau, firearm recovered

By Zagazola Makama

The Plateau State Police Command has arrested three suspected and recovered a locally fabricated pistol during a raid in Jos on April 22.

Zagazola Makama was reliably informed that the arrest followed credible intelligence received by the Anglo Jos Division’s surveillance team, which led to the capture of Michael Jimoh, 26, Pam Davou, 37, and Ibrahim Isuwa, 35. The suspects were apprehended at around 10:30 p.m.

During a search, officers recovered a locally made pistol, which was loaded with one cartridge, from the suspects’ possession. The police did not specify the exact location of the arrest.

Sources said that the suspects are currently in police custody, and investigation into the case is ongoing.

Three suspects arrested in Plateau, firearm recovered

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