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UN Women Poaches Christian Religious Leaders to Combat Violence Against Women, Girl

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UN Women Poaches Christian Religious Leaders to Combat Violence Against Women, Girls

By: Michael Mike

UN Women and the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OIAC) have called for Christian leaders to escalate action to curb violence against women and girls.

This appeal came during a two-day UN Women and Ford Foundation-supported workshop for members of the OAIC.

OAIC is a community of leaders of different churches. The workshop aimed to enhance the knowledge of Christian leaders of the nuances of gender-based violence, initiate collective action against gender-based violence through the various church mechanisms, and provide the opportunity for Christian leaders and churches to network and consolidate on the fight against gender-based violence.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in three women worldwide has experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reports that an estimated 137 women are killed daily by a partner or family member globally, highlighting the severe consequences of GBV.

In Nigeria, GBV remains a significant challenge, manifesting in various forms, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and harmful traditional practices. These issues are often perpetuated by cultural norms and religious misinterpretations that justify violence and discrimination against women and girls.

Religious leaders, as moral guides and influencers within their communities, play a critical role in either reinforcing these harmful norms or championing efforts to eradicate GBV, this informed the reason behind organizing the workshop to lobby them.

According to a statement by UN Women on Thursday, the workshop is intended to impact sermons delivered by clergies and Christian leaders so that messages delivered over the pulpit have interpretations of religious texts and tenets that address gender inequality, condemn gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices, and promote gender justice.

UN Women Programmes Officer Ibrahim Nurudeen facilitated sessions that demystified some harmful social norms and beliefs common in the religious cycle. Participants affirmed that some tenets need to be appropriately communicated in the contemporary context.

According to the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Daniel Okoh, “We must use this opportunity to deal with deprivation of opportunities for the female members to exercise their God-given talents by their spouses and the leadership of their churches. We must first deal with these issues connected to GBV before we can effectively give moral leadership in this advocacy and, indeed, the battle”.

The workshop provided an in-depth analysis of GBV’ssocio-economic impact, its implications, and the critical role of religious leaders in combating this issue.Participants were equipped with strategies to incorporate gender equality principles in their messages, marriage counselling, and promoting healthy and respectful relationships.

President, OIAC Nigeria, Israel Akinadewo said: “Conclusively, as a noble organisation as ours, I would appeal that after these sessions, we become champions of spiritual battalions combating any form of GBV.”

The statement said by empowering religious leaders with the knowledge and tools they need, UN Women aims to drive a transformative socio-cultural shift towards a more just, equitable, and violence-free society in Nigeria and across West Africa.

UN Women Poaches Christian Religious Leaders to Combat Violence Against Women, Girls

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Fact Check: No attack on former COAS Buratai – what really happened in Buratai, Borno

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Fact Check: No attack on former COAS Buratai – what really happened in Buratai, Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Recent reports claiming that former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), narrowly escaped death in an alleged Boko Haram ambush in Borno State are categorically false and misleading.

Zagazola Makama can confirm that there was never any attack on the retired general, contrary to statements made by Senator Ali Ndume and recklessly amplified by several media outlets without a shred of verification.

What actually happened was a coordinated three-pronged attack by ISWAP terrorists on military facilities in Buratai town, Biu Local Government Area, on Friday. The assault targeted the Battalion Headquarters, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, and Command Secondary School – not Lt.-Gen. Buratai or any convoy associated with him.

Let us be clear:
Lt.-Gen. Buratai was nowhere near the ambush, and at no point was his life in danger. This is not a matter of semantics, it’s a matter of truth versus dangerous misinformation.

Zagazola Makama, has previously reported how the ground troops, with critical support from Nigerian Air Force Super Tucano jets, repelled the attackers decisively.

During the encounter, two ISWAP gun trucks were destroyed, while a third was recovered during follow-up operations. Several terrorists were killed, including over 20 in airstrikes during their retreat through Mangari.

So how did this snowball into a national headline falsely claiming a “near-death” experience for the former army chief?
Because some politicians spoke irresponsibly, and certain media platforms ran with the story without basic verification, an unforgivable dereliction of journalistic duty, especially in a region as sensitive as the North East.

The media owes the public and the Armed Forces of Nigeria the duty of responsible reporting, not alarmist fiction wrapped in sensational headlines. The security situation in Buratai is under control, and troops continue to dominate the area to prevent any further attacks.

Let this stand as a final and factual rebuttal:
There was NO attack on Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai. Period. Stop twisting the truth for cheap headlines.

Fact Check: No attack on former COAS Buratai – what really happened in Buratai, Borno

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Again, NAF Jets Decimate Terrorist Enclave in Bukar Meram in Lake Chad

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Again, NAF Jets Decimate Terrorist Enclave in Bukar Meram in Lake Chad

By: Zagazola Makama

As part of ongoing efforts to sustain pressure on terrorist elements and deny them freedom of action, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has conducted another successful air interdiction mission at a terrorist enclave in Bukar Meram, located in the southern axis of the Lake Chad region.

Zagazola Makama was reliably informed by sources that the mission, which was executed in the early hourz of Monday, June 9, at about 0545 hours, was carried out under the auspices of Operation KALACHEN WUTA II.

The sources said that the operation formed part of a broader strategy aimed at disrupting terrorist activities before, during, and after the Eid-el-Kabir Sallah period.

He said that intelligence-led surveillance revealed that the terrorists were regrouping at the Bukar Meram location with intent to launch coordinated attacks on Marte and Monguno general areas.

Prompted by this credible intelligence, the Air Component swiftly mobilised to engage the enclave. Airstrikes were conducted with precision, leading to the neutralisation of several terrorists.

The strikes also resulted in the destruction of critical terrorist logistics, including supply vehicles, makeshift shelters, and weapons storage points.

The decimation of the enclave not only inflicted significant losses on the terrorists but also disrupted their operational planning and movement.

The sources added that Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) conducted after the mission confirmed that the planned attacks on Marte and Monguno were effectively thwarted.

Further intelligence gathering is ongoing to assess enemy reactions and possible movement patterns following the successful interdiction. Ground troops have also been placed on heightened alert to exploit the gains of the airstrike and maintain pressure on fleeing remnants.

Again, NAF Jets Decimate Terrorist Enclave in Bukar Meram in Lake Chad

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French tourist found dead in Gboko hotel

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French tourist found dead in Gboko hotel

By: Zagazola Makama

A 67-year-old French national, Mr. Pietier Gilles, has been found dead at a hotel in Gboko town in Benue state.

Zagazola Makama report that the deceased, believed to be a French tourist, was found dead on Saturday at Hotel Jovina, Gbokon, where he had lodged on June 6.

According to a police sources, on Sunday, the hotel manager, Mr. Emmanuel Terhide Laha, reported the incident to the “A” Division Police Station at about 5:45 p.m. on June 8.

Laha informed the police that the tourist fell ill on June 7 but declined to be taken to a hospital. Concerned about his deteriorating condition, the hotel management brought in a medical practitioner to examine him. He was, however, discovered to have died.

“On receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer led a patrol team to the hotel where photographs of the scene were taken. The body was evacuated to the General Hospital in Gboko for preservation and autopsy,” the police said.

Gilles reportedly arrived in Nigeria from Niger Republic on May 19, 2025, traveling on a sports bicycle as part of what is believed to be a long-distance tour.

Police sources said investigation will be conducted, and all relevant diplomatic channels are being engaged to handle the situation appropriately.

French tourist found dead in Gboko hotel

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