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Parents, Community Leaders May be Prosecuted as Accomplice in Cases of Rape and Incense should they Shield Violators, Says NAPTIP

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Parents, Community Leaders May be Prosecuted as Accomplice in Cases of Rape and Incense should they Shield Violators, Says NAPTIP

By: Michael Mike

The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi has warned communities against interfering in criminal prosecution of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), insisting that cases of rape and incense are no go area for family and community leaders.

Waziri-Azi also threatened that parents may be prosecuted as accomplices in cases of rape and incense if they should cover up for the violators of the children and wards.

The NAPTIP boss lamented that many cases of rape and incense were prematurely dropped due to pressures from families and communities which forced victims to withdraw their complaints.

He decried that there are several records of cases that could not be prosecuted as violators were allowed to go scot-free when complainants showed disinterest in prosecution as a result of pressure from families and communities.

He said NAPTIP would soon work on propagation of law that would make it a crime for parents and communities to shield violators of SGBV, prosecuting them as accomplice in a criminal act.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at the commencement of FCT community dialogue and advocacy on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in the Six Area Councils starting with the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Waziri-Azi noted that the NAPTIP has recorded 1, 278 reported cases of Sexual and Gender Based Violence, (SGBV), in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), with spousal battery being the highest complaint in the last one year.

The DG said that “In 2023, NAPTIP received 1, 278 complaints of sexual and gender-based violence in the FCT and top of the list was spousal battery. Our data shows that spousal battery is an issue in the FCT and that was the same trend and pattern that we saw in 2022.

“We also had complaints bordering on abandonment, where either husband, wife or both abandon their children.

“Also, inflicting physical injury on children and on domestic staff has been seen to be on the increase in the FCT.”

She explains that rape is also on the increase but compared to 2022 where it was the third highest reported SGBV case, the 2023 statistics showed that it is now the fourth most reported case.

On the number convictions by the agency, she explains that “In 2023, we secured four convictions. We know how hard it is to investigate and prosecute SGBV cases but these four convictions were very stringent. We have two life imprisonment for the first time ever, 25 years imprisonment and 21 years imprisonment each without the option of fine.”

She notes that the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, ( VAPPA), of which NAPTIP is empowered to implement in addition to its protecting victims of trafficking in persons not only protects women and children, but all persons including men hence the erroneous view in some quarters.

“Intuitively most times, when people hear about the VAPP Act they automatically think that it is to protect just women and children but it protects all persons including men and boys

“In the past two years, we’ve seen incremental reportage of violence against men so men are beginning to realize that the system is not just there for women and the Act also empowers NAPTIP to implement the provisions in the FCT.”

“NAPTIP has enforcement powers, has prosecutorial powers and has protective mandate victims of human trafficking and survivors of sexual and gender based violence.l,” she adds.

Speaking on SGBV against older persons, Director General National Senior Citizens Centre, NSCC), Dr. Emem Omokaro, said “Older persons face a lot of stereotype , prejudice and discrimination all because they are old,” and that has led to series of violence against them.

Director, Social Welfare and Gender, FCT Social Secretariat, Aisha Yusufari, said community leaders can settled minor disagreement among couples in the society but when it comes to issues of life threatening violence, rape and incest, perpetrators must be reported to the authorities for necessary actions.

Parents, Community Leaders May be Prosecuted as Accomplice in Cases of Rape and Incense should they Shield Violators, Says NAPTIP

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Gunmen kill trader in Kafanchan, kaduna

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Gunmen kill trader in Kafanchan, kaduna

By: Zagazola Makama

A 42-year-old man, Shok Musa, has been killed by yet-to-be-identified gunmen in Kafanchan in Kaduna state.

Zagazola gathered from reliable sources that the incident occurred on Sunday night near the victim’s shop at Ungwa Kanikon, Gidan Waya.

Security forces rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call, and found Musa with fatal gunshot injuries on his back.

“He was taken to Anglican Hospital, Gidan Waya, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor. His body was later deposited at the Kafanchan General Hospital mortuary,”said the sources.

The sources added that investigation had commenced, and efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the perpetrators.

Gunmen kill trader in Kafanchan, kaduna

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Security forces fortify Kaduna–Abuja rail line, Rigasa station and highway

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Security forces fortify Kaduna–Abuja rail line, Rigasa station and highway

By: Zagazola Makama

Security forces have intensified patrols and security measures along the Abuja–Kaduna railway corridor, Rigasa train station, and the Abuja–Kaduna highway.

Sources said the move was part of efforts to protect critical transport infrastructure and forestall criminal attacks.

The sources stated that area commanders in Jere and Kakuri, as well as divisional police officers along the rail corridor, had been placed on red alert in collaboration with other security agencies.

“Rigasa train main station has been fortified, while patrols along the railway line and sub-stations have been intensified. Patrol vehicles deployed on the Abuja–Kaduna highway are maintaining 24-hour visibility, with hourly situation reports rendered accordingly,”said sources.

Security forces assured the public of its commitment to ensuring safe travel and the protection of lives and property across the state.

Security forces fortify Kaduna–Abuja rail line, Rigasa station and highway

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Two killed as troops repel bandit attack in Katsina

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Two killed as troops repel bandit attack in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

At least two persons were killed following an attack by suspected bandits on villages in Dutsinma Local Government Area of the state.

Sources said the incident occurred on Sunday night when bandits invaded Babangida and Madugu villages.

The sources said that the military troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA in collaboration with the police and local patrol teams, responded swiftly and engaged the attackers in a gun duel, forcing them to abort a planned assault on Sabon Garin Safana village.

“However, two victims, identified as Shamsu Sani, 25, of Makera, and Abdurrashed Rabe, 25, of Tashar Mangwaro, sustained critical injuries and were rushed to the General Hospital, Dutsinma, where they were confirmed dead,” said the sources.

The sources said that efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing bandits.

Two killed as troops repel bandit attack in Katsina

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