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Nigeria: Hundreds marched against rape in Abuja

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Nigeria: Hundreds marched against rape in Abuja

By: Michael Mike

Hundreds of people on Saturday marched the streets of Abuja to sensitize the public on the dangers of rape.

The march which started from the Old Parade Ground at the centre of the city had marchers that are majorly youth.

The march was organized by the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), United Nations and Medicaid to sensitize the public on the dangers of rape.

A statement issued on Saturday by WARIF stated that “The WARIF NO Tolerance March” is a call to action to address sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), noting that 2022 marks the fourth annual WARIF NO Tolerance March which was held on 3rd December 2022 in Abuja, Cape Town, Frankfurt, Lagos, London and New York. 

According to the statement: The March coincides with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and the International Day for Persons Living with Disabilities.

The statement lamented that sexual and gender-based violence is a human rights violation, with detrimental impacts on

victims, survivors, families, communities, and societies – women living with disabilities and those with or at risk of HIV/AIDS are disproportionately more at risk to SGBV. 

The statement added that SGBV encompasses sexual violence, physical violence, emotional and psychological violence, early marriage, femicide,

 trafficking, female genital mutilation (FGM), sexual harassment and rape. 

According to the statement in Nigeria, 33% of women and girls aged between 15-49 have experienced physical and or sexual abuse in their lifetime, stressing that harmful practices such as child marriage are prevalent in Nigeria, with 43 percent of girls married before the age of 18 while 20% of women age 15-49 have undergone FGM. 

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/nigeria-millions-of-vulnerable-people-to-face-daily-struggle-in-2023-un/

WARIF has partnered with the UN and Medicaid to raise awareness of SGBV, encourage people to report instances of violence and show solidarity with survivors of violence as this is especially critical in

 the recovery period of the COVID-19 pandemic which saw cases of GBV spike globally.

The statement recalled that during the pandemic, Nigeria experienced a wave of advocacy which ultimately led to the

announcement of a National State of Emergency on Rape and GBV. 

Speaking on this unprecedented move the The First Lady of Kebbi State and Founder, Chief Executive Officer of Medicaid, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu stated: “The Nigeria Governors’ Wives Forum sprung into action at the height of the pandemic. We have since seen many States pass the VAPP Act and I am proud to say that Kebbi State is one of those States. We now look to States to ensure full implementation of the VAPP.”

She was joined by Mr. Matthias Schmale, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations who thanked the crowd for making their voices heard and stepping out in solidarity. In his remarks and whilst applauding the achievements in passage of the VAPP, he called for sustained efforts to ensure survivors of violence have access to the services, rights and resources needed to live their lives with dignity.

Nigeria: Hundreds marched against rape in Abuja

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Crime

EFCC Condemns False Narratives on Loss of Officer

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EFCC Condemns False Narratives on Loss of Officer

By: Dele Oyewale

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, expresses grief on the loss of one of its officers, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE II Aminu Sahabi Salisu who was killed in cold blood while on a legitimate duty on January 17, 2025 by a suspected internet fraudster, Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu.

Additionally, the Commission views with great concern the irresponsible, callous, inhuman and outrageous narratives being circulated on social media on the whys and wherefores of the fatal accident. It is heinous to reduce the death of a gallant officer who was carrying out patriotic and official duties to social media razzmatazz.

More worrisome is the fact that some faceless commentators are pitching their tents with an alleged criminal who unleashed terror on officers of the EFCC in their line of duty. There is no justification whatsoever to rationalise a murderous act. The milk of human kindness demands that a grieving family, Commission and nation should be spared the shenanigans of false narratives and conjectures on the death of the slain officer.

Salisu, alongside other investigators of the EFCC, were at Dr. J.O. Ukwutinife Close, Ifite, Awka, Anambra State, to arrest some suspected internet fraudsters in the early hours of January 17. The operation was duly documented at the Anambra State Command Headquarters and Area Command of the Nigeria Police in line with operational protocols.

The operation was initially smooth sailing with 37 suspected internet fraudsters already arrested at a two-storey building housing Ikechukwu and other occupants of the house.

However, Ikechukwu, who sighted the investigators through a CCTV Camera mounted at his doorpost and who also confessed sighting them, declined to open his door for the investigators who politely demanded entrance to his apartment. Defying all the introduction and physical sighting of the investigators, he resorted to firing shots at them and killed Salisu in the process and wounded another officer detailed to conduct a search in his apartment.

Preliminary investigations showed that Ikechukwu was involved in coding and online medical supplies of doubtful legitimacy. Two laptops, ipads, several recording devices were recovered from his apartment and his involvement in internet fraud is already established. Though currently in police custody owing to the murderous dimension of his case, the Commission will surely bring him to trial.

The EFCC also wishes to alert the public that the activities of internet fraudsters are becoming patently hazardous to public safety and security. Intelligence has shown that these criminals are carrying arms, involved in kidnapping, banditry, ritual killings and other deadly acts. The public should not fold its arms or allow itself to be deceived that they are mere “Yahoo boys and girls”.

As for the EFCC, every subsequent attack on any of its officers will be met with the force of the law. The Commission will not fold its arms and allow any of its officers to be killed again in cold blood. As a law enforcement agency of repute, the EFCC is unrelenting in riding the nation of internet fraud and other acts of corruption.

While mourning the loss of its officer who paid the supreme price in the service of the nation, the Commission appreciates the invaluable support, condolences and prompt response of sister agencies and well-meaning individuals standing shoulder to shoulder with it at this trying time.

EFCC Condemns False Narratives on Loss of Officer

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Soldier Arrested at Borno Express Terminal with Ammunition

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Soldier Arrested at Borno Express Terminal with Ammunition

By: Zagazola Makama

A soldier identified as Nathaniel Jeremiah, has been arrested by personnel of the 7 Division at the Borno Express Terminal Park in Maiduguri for illegal possession of ammunition.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that Jeremiah, who was on welfare pass and en route to Adamawa State, was apprehended while attempting to board a vehicle at the terminal.

During the routine search, security operatives discovered 89 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed in his personal bag.

The soldier was immediately taken into custody for interrogation, and the recovered ammunition has been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.

Soldier Arrested at Borno Express Terminal with Ammunition

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Two Notorious Bandits Kachalla Idi Mai Randa and Ya’u Killed rival clashes in Zamfara

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Two Notorious Bandits Kachalla Idi Mai Randa and Ya’u Killed rival clashes in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

In another blow to banditry in Zamfara State, two notorious bandits, Kachalla Idi Mai Randa and Ya’u, have been killed in separate encounters with rival bandit faction of Dogo Geide.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Malama that Kachalla Idi Mai Randa, a known bandit leader responsible for multiple attacks in the region, was killed in an ambush laid by rival bandit Dogo Geide on Sunday evening.

The attack occurred following a series of violent confrontations between the two factions. Idi Mai Randa had previously led an attack that resulted in the killing of Gide’s boy, prompting him to vow revenge.

Idi Mai Randa’s death comes days after the killing of Ya’u, another notorious bandit who had been previously captured in Tsafe Local Government Area.

Ya’u, a close ally of Idi Mai Randa, had been implicated in numerous attacks and was believed to be in possession of significant weaponry. Although Idi Mai Randa denied any involvement with Ya’u’s weaponry, it is now confirmed that both he and Ya’u have met their Waterloo, with the story of their deaths reported from their emclave early today.

The troops of Operation Fansan Yanma in collaboration with it Air Component as well as federal security forces, continue to make significant strides in dismantling bandit in their hideouts in the region.

The joint effort has already resulted in the deaths of several high profile bandit leaders and the capture of important assets.

Two Notorious Bandits Kachalla Idi Mai Randa and Ya’u Killed rival clashes in Zamfara

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