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Oluremi Tinubu, Governors Wives Sign Agreement to Stop Harmful Practices Against Women

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Oluremi Tinubu, Governors Wives Sign Agreement to Stop Harmful Practices Against Women

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu and the wives of state governors on Tuesday signed an agreement to tackle Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and harmful social practices against women in Nigeria.

The agreement was signed in Abuja at the maiden edition of Gender and Social Norms Summit 2024 organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Renewed Hope initiative in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady.

In her keynote address, the First Lady said that the prevalence of harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child marriage, which in some cases leads to Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF), and other forms of violence against girls and women remain unacceptably high.

She said, in spite of various efforts, the incidence of these practices continues to grow, decrying that the spate of rape cases and GBV had reached an alarming rate, not sparing babies too.

She said: “Do we allow this trend to continue, or do we look the other way? That is why I am calling on the law enforcement agencies, the Inspector General of Police, the Attorney General of the Federation and the National Assembly.

“To appropriate and enforce stiffer laws and punishments for perpetrators of rape, sexual violence, and other forms of GBV.
No guilty party should be allowed to go free and start running the streets looking for the next victim.”

Tinubu admitted that collective action was needed to put an end to the practices, while advocating for the development of state-specific action plans to promote the allocation of adequate resources in government budgets to support gender equality initiatives and GBV prevention programmes.

She noted that: “This summit provides us with a common platform to create awareness, exchange lessons learned, and promote effective strategies for preventing and responding to GBV and harmful practices.”

The UNFPA Officer-In-Charge of the Nigerian office, Mr Koessan Kuawu, on his part, said that family planning was not only a crucial health intervention but a cornerstone of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

He however lamented that in many communities across Nigeria, social norms drive misconceptions and cultural barriers, hindering the uptake of family planning.

He noted that Nigeria occupies a unique position globally in the pursuit of the Social Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030 due to its vast population.

He, however, commended the government for its steadfast dedication to creating an enabling environment, through the passage and enforcement of critical legislation, such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015, and also the implementation of the National FGM Policy, National Child Marriage Policy, and state-specific action plans to eliminate FGM and child marriage.

He said: “These milestones have been achieved through persistent advocacy efforts aimed at strengthening the adoption and implementation of these laws.”

Kuawu noted that though eliminating GBV and harmful social practices was an immense task, it was not insurmountable, insisting that: “With the right resources, political will, and community support across the states, we can change the narrative for women and girls in Nigeria.”

On her part, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Uju Ohanneye, advocated for stricter penalties for perpetrators of violence against women.

She noted that: “Overseas, where they are afraid to commit crimes or social norms or things that can harm another, it’s because when you do it, you face the consequences, legally and otherwise.

“However, here in Nigeria, when you have connection, before you know it, it dies a natural death and we forget so easily.
“So on this note, to support this program, we in the Ministry of Women Affairs will move forward to make sure there will be consequences if you commit a crime.”

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), defined social norms are the unspoken rules or expected behaviour that set social standards of appropriate and inappropriate behaviour in a specific culture or social group.

Fagbemi, who was represented by the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mrs Beatrice Agba, said GBV encompasses various forms of violence directed at individuals based on their gender, often rooted in unequal power dynamics and societal norms.

Fagbemi noted that the practices “may unfortunately be attributed to the patriarchal and male dominance theoretical framework in place in our society.”

He said that the Federal Ministry of Justice was fully aware of the crucial role that the justice system plays in addressing gender and social norms issues through the provision of a framework for accountability, protection, and empowerment.

The Attorney General added that by upholding the rule of law, promoting gender equality, and advancing justice for all, the justice system could contribute significantly to creating a more inclusive, equitable, and just society for the present and future generations.

He said in addition to ongoing legislative reforms, the ministry was working with critical stakeholders to engage community actors such as traditional rulers, faith-based organisations, and informal community justice systems to address the notions and institutions that perpetrate violence against women and girls within the criminal justice system.

“We are initiating a pilot phase with the Area Councils in collaboration with area council chairmen in order to support ongoing dialogue and initiatives on this subject.”

Oluremi Tinubu, Governors Wives Sign Agreement to Stop Harmful Practices Against Women

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Construction worker dies after vomiting blood in Abuja community

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Construction worker dies after vomiting blood in Abuja community

By: Zagazola Makama

Tragedy struck in the Chikakore area of Byazhin community in the Federal Capital Territory on Friday when a 30-year-old construction worker, Paul Musa, suddenly slumped and died after vomiting blood.

Zagazola Makama learnt that the deceased, a member of the Bojuby ethnic group from Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was working at a construction site when the incident occurred.

According to eyewitnesses, Musa began vomiting blood from his mouth and nose before collapsing and slipping into unconsciousness.

One Mr. Ayuba Ishaya, a resident of Byazhin village, reported the incident to local authorities after receiving a distress call from a man identified simply as Friday.

Emergency response operatives were immediately mobilised to the scene and rushed the victim to Kubwa General Hospital, where medical personnel confirmed him dead on arrival.

The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary for preservation, while preliminary investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of death.

Police sources said an autopsy may be conducted to rule out any foul play or underlying medical condition.


Construction worker dies after vomiting blood in Abuja community

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FCT police arrest suspected one-chance syndicate behind killing of Grace Godwin Alewa

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FCT police arrest suspected one-chance syndicate behind killing of Grace Godwin Alewa

By: Zagazola Makama

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a notorious “one-chance” robbery syndicate allegedly responsible for the abduction and killing of Miss Grace Godwin Alewa, a 23-year-old woman whose lifeless body was discovered along Abubakar Street, Alex Ekwueme District, Jabi.

Zagazola Makama reports that the tragic incident occurred on Friday, July 11, when Grace, a petrol station attendant working in Abuja, boarded a commercial vehicle on her way home from work, unaware that it was operated by kidnappers posing as transporters.

Grace, who hailed from Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, was reportedly abducted and dispossessed of her belongings. The kidnappers subsequently contacted her family, demanding a ransom of N1 million for her release.

It remains unclear whether the ransom was paid or negotiations were still ongoing, but Grace was eventually killed and her body dumped by the roadside in Jabi. She was found the following morning at about 6:00 a.m., and though rushed to a nearby hospital by the police, she was pronounced dead on arrival.

The case drew public outrage, particularly after misleading social media narratives suggested she had been involved in a transactional relationship, claims which were debunked by her family and colleagues who insisted she was a hardworking young woman returning from work.

Following the incident, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, ordered a tactical manhunt and charged operatives to intensify efforts to apprehend criminal gangs operating “one-chance” vehicles in the capital.

Acting on the directive, the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, conducted a series of intelligence-driven raids between July 12 and 26, which culminated in the arrest of three suspects: Sunday Uduma a.k.a. Akidi, 39, from Ohafia LGA, Abia State, Godwin Eze, 39, from Cross River State, Nnaiji Ikenna, 33, from Imo State.

Police sources told Zagazola that the arrests were made through “actionable reconstructive digital intelligence,” and that the suspects have made useful confessional statements linking them to the crime.

The black Mazda 323 vehicle allegedly used in the kidnapping and subsequent killing of the victim has also been recovered.

Further investigations revealed that one of the suspects, Sunday Uduma, had previously been arrested on February 11, 2024, for a similar one-chance robbery case and was remanded at Keffi Correctional Facility. It remains unclear how he regained freedom and resumed criminal activities.

The police added that the suspects are currently in custody and are expected to face prosecution upon conclusion of investigations.

FCT police arrest suspected one-chance syndicate behind killing of Grace Godwin Alewa

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Troops neutralise notorious bandit leader ‘Dan Dari Biyar’ in Sokoto

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Troops neutralise notorious bandit leader ‘Dan Dari Biyar’ in Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Army Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have neutralised a notorious bandit leader identified as Dan Dari Biyar during a clearance operation in the western axis of Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the bandit kingpin was eliminated on Thursday while attempting to collect a ransom from relatives of kidnapped victims in the forest corridor between Turtsawa, Mazau, and Zango villages.

Dan Dari Biyar, whose nickname was derived from his infamous catchphrase “I prefer ₦500 to a Hausa man” was known for his brutality against kidnap victims, often mocking them before demanding large sums in ransom.

He was reportedly based deep within the Tidibale forest, from where he launched coordinated attacks on communities in Lalle, Tsamaye, and parts of Gwaronyo, including the notorious razing of Gidan Sale village along the Gundumi axis.

Military intelligence linked him to multiple raids, ambushes, and acts of arson across Sokoto East senatorial zone, particularly in hard-to-reach forest enclaves.

Sources said the successful operation was part of an ongoing offensive by troops aimed at flushing out bandit elements and dismantling their hideouts.

The operation was executed by a joint team of the Nigerian Army and local security volunteers under the Sokoto State Government’s community protection initiative.

Zagazola gathered that arms, ammunition, and communication devices were recovered from the scene, while pursuit of fleeing members of his gang continues.

Troops neutralise notorious bandit leader ‘Dan Dari Biyar’ in Sokoto

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