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Combating SGBV: FG, UN agencies, Stakeholders Advised to Step Up Funding
Combating SGBV: FG, UN agencies, Stakeholders Advised to Step Up Funding
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government, United Nations and all relevant stakeholders have been advised to step up fundings and investment in the ongoing battle against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in order to consign the malady to history.
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Women Aspire Empowerment Initiative (WAEI) gave this advice at the weekend in Abuja as part of it’s activities to commemorate the 2023, 16 days activism.
Making the appeal at a summit set to establishing grassroot women advocacy and activism movement to stop Violence Against Women and Girls in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Founder WAEI, Dr. Bibiana Okereafor stressed the need to address the socio-economic demands of survivors of SGBV, by empowering women and girls to reduce the inequality that exists in the society, and also continue to advocate for the reduction of gender based violence through the implementation of laws and policies to stop Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWGs).
Okereafor said: “Practical evidence shows that strong and independent women movements are the most important force to drive policy change in GBV. Unfortunately, such women entities and movements that are key drivers of mobilization/recruitment are not being funded.
“Increasing funding sources that are long term in nature to finance Women-focused rights organisations is key to funding solutions and response to VAWGs in Nigeria.”
She added that: “We are calling on the federal government through the office of the Women Affairs Minister, Barrister Uju Kennedy to push for the inclusion of Funding Organisations that are involved in the fight to prevent VAWG, as well as the rehabilitation of existing victims/survivors and reduce incidents of future violence.
“We also call on Federal Government organizations, states, international bodies, UN Women & Corporate organizations, high net-worth individuals within and outside Nigeria to give financial support to stop continued VAWG in Nigeria.
Okereafor further questioned the intentionality of government about ending VAWG, noting that the poor distribution of amount allocated to the nation through international funding as well as the distribution of generated funds among organisation’s working to stop Violence Against Women and Girls.
She also called for the speedy legislation of the 5 Gender Based Bills thrown out by the 9th Assembly, and the creation of a one stop centre for the victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, medical, psychosocial and counselling for female survivors of Sexual Assault.
Delivering his keynote Address, Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) Tijani Ahmed noted that violence against women and girls is a pressing global issue that requires collective attention and action, lamenting that human lost due to violence against women and girls is incalculable and an unfortunate reality that continues to persist.
He however commended the call for establishment of a grassroots women’s advocacy and activism movement stating that “it is an essential step. Such a movement aims to empower women and girls, provide them with a platform to raise their voices and promote gender equality in all aspects of life. By mobilizing at the grassroots level, we can ensure that the voices of marginalized women and girls and their specific needs are addressed.
Ahmed, who was represented by an Assistant Director in the Commission, Comfort Sanni said: “To establish a successful grassroots movement, we need to focus on key areas, awareness and education: This movement should start by raising awareness about violence against women and girls.
“We need to educate communities, both rural and urban, about the various forms of violence and their detrimental effects on individuals and society as a whole. By dispelling and challenging stereotypes, we can change attitudes and foster a culture of respect and gender equality
“In the FCT, we must take a firm stand against such acts of violence and work towards creating a safer and more inclusive society for everyone. This is the bane of this year’s commemoration,” he said.
Also, Women and Children’s rights activist and Public Analyst, Nana Kazaure reiterated that violence meted to women have grave consequences on their well being, stating that it is a greater cause of ill health than traffic accidents and malaria combined.
Kazaure also stated that “as troubling as these incidents are, they do not evoke in Nigerians, the needed empathy to prompt them to action. Instead, a pervasive culture of silence pervades the land as everyone stuck in our traditional “siddon look” or “waka pass mode re-in forced by our see no evil, hear no evil mindset.
“Traditional attitudes of hostility and discrimination against women underpinned by mindless stereotyping, have been exacerbated by violence perpetrated by corporate non-state actors and individuals across all the geopolitical zones of the country with hundreds of thousands of women and their children uprooted from their homes and handed off to Internally Displaced Persons camps where the majority of them become victims of rape of camp officials in order to obtain favour.”
Combating SGBV: FG, UN agencies, Stakeholders Advised to Step Up Funding
Troops Kill Two Terrorists, Rescue 62 Abducted Persons in North-West Operations
By: Michael Mike
Troops of the Joint Task Force North West under Operation FANSAN YAMMA have recorded significant operational gains with the killing of two suspected terrorists in Kebbi State and the rescue of 62 abducted persons in Zamfara State.
The coordinated operations, carried out by troops operating under Sector 2, were based on credible intelligence and involved close collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilante groups.
In Kebbi State, the troops ambushed suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group around Kerani village, near the boundary between Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State and Binji Local Government Area of Sokoto State. During the operation, two of the suspects were neutralised, while two motorcycles believed to have been used for criminal operations were recovered. The suspects were reportedly dressed in camouflage outfits, and the motorcycles were modified for long-distance movement.
In a separate operation in Zamfara State, the troops raided Munhaye Forest, a known criminal hideout, following intelligence that several kidnapped victims were being held in the area. The operation led to the successful rescue of 62 abducted persons, who have since been moved to a secure location.
Military authorities said arrangements are ongoing to reunite the rescued victims with their families, while efforts continue to track and dismantle remaining criminal elements operating in the forests and border communities.
The military noted that the latest successes reflect the sustained commitment of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to restoring peace and improving security across the North-West region.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division Nigerian Army, Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
Troops Kill Two Terrorists, Rescue 62 Abducted Persons in North-West Operations
NHRC Condemns Killing of Woman, Six Children in Kano
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned the brutal killing of Mrs. Fatima Abubakar and her six children in Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters, Kano State, describing the incident as a gross violation of the right to life and an attack on human dignity.
The tragic incident, which occurred on Saturday, January 17, 2026, reportedly involved unknown attackers who broke into the family’s residence, killed the victims with dangerous weapons, and allegedly threw an infant into a well.
Reacting to the incident, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, said the act was not only criminal but also a serious breach of constitutional and international human rights obligations binding on Nigeria. He noted that the right to life is sacrosanct and must be protected at all times, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women and children.
Dr. Ojukwu expressed deep concern over the level of violence displayed in the attack, stressing that such acts threaten public safety and undermine the rule of law. He called on the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to carry out a comprehensive and transparent investigation to ensure that those responsible are identified and prosecuted.
The NHRC extended its condolences to the victims’ family, the Dorayi Chiranchi community, and the people of Kano State, assuring them of the Commission’s solidarity during the period of mourning.
The Commission also reaffirmed its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights across the country, stating its readiness to work with law enforcement agencies to ensure accountability and justice in the case.
Dr. Ojukwu further urged collective action by government institutions, security agencies, community leaders, and civil society groups to uphold the sanctity of human life and prevent a recurrence of such tragic incidents.
He emphasized that justice for the victims is essential to restoring public confidence and fostering a society built on peace, justice, and respect for human dignity.
NHRC Condemns Killing of Woman, Six Children in Kano
SOJA Condemns Killing of Woman, Six Children in Kano, Calls for Justice
By: Michael Mike
A human rights advocacy group, Speak Out for Justice Advocacy Ltd/Gte (SOJA), has condemned the gruesome killing of Mrs. Fatima Abubakar and her six children in Dorayi Chiranchi area of Kano State, describing the incident as a grave violation of fundamental human rights and a failure of state protection.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its legal officer, Hameed Ajibola Jimoh., the organisation said the killing of a mother and her children had shocked the nation and undermined the values of humanity, justice and the rule of law.
SOJA noted that the incident amounted to a serious breach of the right to life as guaranteed under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), as well as provisions of international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory. The group stressed that the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights impose clear obligations on the Nigerian State to protect life and ensure accountability for violations.
The organisation further described the killing of six children as a gross violation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which mandates governments to take all necessary measures to protect children from violence and unlawful death.
SOJA expressed concern that recurring cases of extreme violence, particularly against women and children, point to systemic weaknesses such as poor early-warning mechanisms, inadequate community-level protection, and insufficient intelligence gathering. According to the group, the responsibility of the state goes beyond prosecuting offenders to preventing foreseeable harm.
The advocacy group called on the Kano State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant agencies to conduct a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the incident and ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice without delay.
It also urged authorities to provide psychosocial support, protection and relief assistance to surviving family members and the affected community, noting that justice must include healing and institutional reforms, not just arrests.
SOJA further recommended stronger community-based protection and early-warning systems, improved coordination between security agencies and local communities, sustained public education on violence prevention and child protection, and strict enforcement of existing laws protecting women and children.
The group stressed that the victims must not be reduced to mere statistics, adding that their deaths should serve as a catalyst for accountability and renewed commitment to the sanctity of human life.
SOJA said it stands in solidarity with the victims’ family and the people of Kano State, reaffirming its commitment to speaking out until justice is served.
SOJA Condemns Killing of Woman, Six Children in Kano, Calls for Justice
Troops Kill Two Terrorists, Rescue 62 Abducted Persons in North-West Operations
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