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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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FCT Police arrest two notorious armed robbers in Kurudu

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FCT Police arrest two notorious armed robbers in Kurudu

By: Zagazola Makama

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested two notorious armed robbery suspects terrorising Kurudu and its environs.

The suspects, identified as Hassan Adamu and Auwal Mohammed, both aged 25, were arrested on May 8 at about 2:00 p.m. during a targeted raid by operatives of the Scorpion Squad.

Police sources said that the suspects were linked to multiple violent robbery incidents in the area.

“One of the suspects confessed to a specific robbery at Angwan Hausawa, Kurudu, where a male victim, identified as Mohammed, was stabbed and later died from the injuries sustained during the attack.

Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives stormed a criminal hideout in Kurudu where the suspects were apprehended. A sharp dagger, reportedly intended for use against police operatives, was recovered during the search.

The suspects also revealed the identities of other members of their gang who remain at large and are believed to be armed.

The police sources said a manhunt is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover additional weapons.

FCT Police arrest two notorious armed robbers in Kurudu

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Tuggar Congratulates Catholics Worldwide on Election of Pope Leo XIV

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Tuggar Congratulates Catholics Worldwide on Election of Pope Leo XIV

By: Michael Mike

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar has extended warm congratulations to the Catholic faithful worldwide for the successful election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV as the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

Tuggar, in a statement on Friday signed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa said Nigeria rejoices with the global Catholic community on this momentous and historic occasion and prays for divine wisdom, strength, and guidance for the new Pope as he assumes this sacred responsibility.

He said: “We are confident that with his wealth of experience and devotion, His Holiness will lead with compassion, humility, and a steadfast commitment to peace, unity, and the spiritual well-being of humanity.

“As a nation with a significant and large Catholic population, Nigeria values the enduring relationship between the Holy See and our country. We therefore look forward to continued collaboration in promoting interfaith dialogue, harmony, social justice, and the common good of all people.

“Once again, Nigeria congratulates Pope Leo XIV and the entire Catholic faithful. May his papacy be blessed with grace and profound impact on the world.”

Tuggar Congratulates Catholics Worldwide on Election of Pope Leo XIV

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Yobe: Governor Mala donates N50m to troops

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Yobe: Governor Mala donates N50m to troops

By: Yahaya Wakili

In bida bid encourage the Nigerian Army, Yobe staState Governor . Mai Mala Buni CON has today donated the sum of #50 million to be shared to amonge troops of the 27 Task Force Brigade Buni Gari, in addition to foofoodstuffsattresses, blankets, and other sundry items donated by the Yobe staStatevernment.

Governor Buni CON made the donation when he visited the Heaheadquarters the 27 Task Force Brigade Buni GarGari sympathize with the formation over the recent attack by insurgents.

He described as unfortunate the resurgence of insurgency and the attack on security formations.

The governor commiserated with the army and families of the deceased personnel, adding thathat e gallant officers did not die in veivain;ey died gallantly defending their fatherland.””

overnor Buni also donated the sum of #2 ₦2llion to each of the families of the fallen herheroes #1 ₦1llion to each of thothose whostained injuries.

“Government would also provide educational support to the children of the deceased solsoldiers,” added.

He assured the support of the government and people of the state to the army and other security agencies in the state to effectively fight and defeat the resurgence.

The governor directed fortheinforcement of security around the brigade, assuring govthe governmentsupport to the security.

“We will continue to complement your efforts to improve security around your forformation,”v. Buni said.

The Bribrigade commanderen. Usman AhmAhmed,o conducted the governor around the formation, andmended Governor Buni for the uncommon show of concern and care to fore solsoldiers.

Yobe: Governor Mala donates N50m to troops

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