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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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Bandits kill two, rustle cattle in Kaduna community

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Bandits kill two, rustle cattle in Kaduna community

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits have attacked Unguwan Namaje, Lukora village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing two residents and rustling an unspecified number of cattle.

Sources said the attack occurred at about 2:50 a.m. on Friday when the bandits stormed the residence of one Abdullahi Yunusa.

According to the sources, three victims were shot during the attack.

“Those fatally injured were identified as Audu Yunusa, 15, and Salisu Yunusa, 23. They sustained gunshot wounds to the stomach and were later certified dead by a doctor.

“Another victim, Isiyaku Yunusa, 25, also sustained serious gunshot injuries and is receiving treatment at Saint Gerard Hospital, Kaduna,”said the sources.

Nigerian troops were immediately mobilised to the scene, while efforts were intensified to track down the perpetrators and recover the stolen cattle.

Bandits kill two, rustle cattle in Kaduna community

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Police rescue eight kidnapped victims, confirm one dead in Katsina

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Police rescue eight kidnapped victims, confirm one dead in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police Command in Katsina State says its operatives have foiled a kidnapping attempt, rescued eight victims and confirmed the death of one person in Dandume Local Government Area.

Zagazola Makama learnt that on Friday night, yet-to-be identified armed men laid an ambush along Funtua–Mahuta road and opened fire on a moving Golf vehicle with registration number EDT 693 AA, apparently intending to kidnap the occupants.

Sources said that the driver lost control of the vehicle which veered into a farmland.

“APC patrol teams promptly responded, cordoned off the area and engaged the hoodlums in an exchange of fire, thereby rescuing eight victims unhurt,” the sources said.

The sources dded that three other passengers sustained various degrees of gunshot injuries and were rushed to General Hospital, Dandume, where one of them was later confirmed dead.

The sources further said that search and rescue operations were ongoing to trace other passengers who might have scattered into nearby farms during the attack.

Police rescue eight kidnapped victims, confirm one dead in Katsina

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Troops neutralise terrorist, recover AK47 in ambush near Buni Gari

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Troops neutralise terrorist, recover AK47 in ambush near Buni Gari

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 2, Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have neutralised a terrorist in a long-range ambush around Ndoksa village near Buni Gari, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama on Saturday that the ambush was conducted following intelligence on the movement of terrorists in the axis.

The source said the troops killed one terrorist during the operation and recovered an AK-47 rifle and two motorcycles.

“The successful ambush is part of the ongoing aggressive operations to deny terrorists freedom of movement, disrupt their logistics, and safeguard communities in the North East,” the source said.

Troops neutralise terrorist, recover AK47 in ambush near Buni Gari

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