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United Nations call for Collective Action to end Violence against Women and Girls

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United Nations call for Collective Action to end Violence against Women and Girls

By: Michael Mike

The Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator and the UN Women Nigeria Country Office convened a high-level Orange the World Ceremony and the Lighting of the UN House to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism for the year. During the event, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Nigeria and heads of government and agencies concertedly called for policy action and escalated interventions

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is an annual international campaign. It commences on 25th November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women). It climaxes on 10th December (Human Rights Day), indicating that violence against women is the most pervasive breach of human rights worldwide. The global theme of the 16 Days of Activism for 2022 is UNiTE! Activism To End Violence Against Women and Girls!”

The United Nations leverages the annual 16 Days of Activism campaign to draw attention to the need for concerted action towards preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls. The event aimed to strengthen partnerships to end violence against women and girls among UN agencies, Government MDAs, Diplomatic Missions and Development Partners, Security Agencies, CSOs and Media, among other stakeholders, while increasing visibility and public support for the local efforts to end violence against women and girls.

In Nigeria, 30 per cent of girls and women aged between 15 and 49 reported having experienced sexual abuse.  The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey shows that 14 per cent of women in Nigeria have experienced physical violence. Cases of violence against women increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. 

A UN report revealed that by April 2020, cases of gender-based violence increased by 56 per cent after only two weeks of lockdown.

UNICEF reports that “six out of every ten children experience some form of violence – one in four girls and 10 per cent of boys have been victims of sexual violence”.  Notably, violence against women in the home usually involves the abuse of children and other household members.

“Another major aspect of this ceremony is the official orange lighting of the UN Building.  The light initiative is integral to the UN Women and the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE Campaign and is used to “symbolize a brighter future without violence.” The “orange” comes from the fire ignited by the many women’s groups dedicated to combating violence against women around the world. We call on our partners to join us in promoting the orange campaign throughout the 16 days and beyond so as to galvanize more support to end violence against women and girls. We must sustain the momentum for a brighter future where men and women, girls and boys enjoy equal rights, devoid of discrimination and all forms of violence” said Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS in her special remarks.

The 2020 Trafficking in Humans Report found that 70% of globally trafficked people are young girls and adult women. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in 2019 reported that women and girls together account for 72% of all human trafficking victims detected globally, with girls representing more than three out of four child trafficking victims.

Most cases of sexual violence are not reported to the authorities. Fewer than 40 per cent of the women who experience violence seek the help of any sort.  Most women who seek help look to family and friends, and very few look to formal institutions such as the police and health services. In some cases, women who accuse men of sexual assault have faced backlash and apathetic attitudes from security agencies. 

READ ALSO: https://newsng.ng/nigeria-ingo-forum-expressed-concern-over-killing-of-aid-worker-reiterates-commitment-to-life-saving-in-borno/

The United Nations believes there is a need for deliberate action by government and security agencies to improve response to gender-based violence, prosecution, and redress for survivors.

“We are calling for an increased spotlight on the many forms that this violence can take and the culture of silence that often surrounds its victims. Much progress has been made recently with the Violence Against Person’s Prohibition Act which has been passed into law by 34 out of the 36 states. This has been made possible by the collective efforts of government, civil society, development partners, UN agencies, and the donor community. Let this be an inspiration to us for further partnership and coordination,” remarked Matthias Schmale, UN Resident Coordinator in his welcome address.

Part of the event was an exhibition What Was She Wearing? (Curated by Education As Vaccine with support from the Government of Canada and Frontline Aids) the exhibition addresses one of the most pervasive myths of rape culture. It also aims to create new conversations and disrupt harmful social attitudes to prevent violence and ensure access to justice for all survivors.

The event’s highlight was lighting of the UN House in orange. The light initiative is integral to the UN Women and the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE Campaign and “symbolises a brighter future without violence.” The “orange” comes from the fire ignited by the many women’s groups dedicated to combating violence against women worldwide.

The event drew participants from high profile delegations such as top-level government officials, high level UN Delegation, Donor Communities, Civil Society Organizations, young women organizations, male champions, persons living with disabilities, among others.

United Nations call for Collective Action to end Violence against Women and Girls

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NDLEA busts clandestine Colos lab in Lagos

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NDLEA busts clandestine Colos lab in Lagos
…Arrests music artist; Steady Boy for dug related offense

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered a clandestine laboratory where Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis is being produced in a residential building.

The spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Sunday, said the laboratory is located at Ajao estate, Isolo, Lagos state and during the clampdown, large quantities of freshly cooked Colos and various precursor chemicals for drug production were recovered, adding that the 30-year-old lab owner, Kelechi Imoh was arrested.

He noted that the discovery followed months of intelligence gathering on possible Colos laboratories in Lagos after NDLEA officers intercepted consignments of freshly produced Colos in March and May 2025 in the state, a development that suggested that the dangerous psychoactive substance, which was hitherto imported into the country, was now locally produced.

He said the effort paid off last Thursday when NDLEA officers raided the residential apartment in Ajao estate, Isolo, Lagos state which Imoh converted to a laboratory for cooking Colos, a strain of cannabis produced with the psychoactive plant and various chemicals.

Recovered from the apartment include: freshly cooked Colos weighing 16.2 kilogrammes; ADB-CHMNACA Cannabinol -1.7 kilogrammes; Potassium Carbonate -4.5 kilogrammes and Dibromobutane – 91 litres.

Babafemi said in another operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Saturday raided the enclave of a 28-year-old drug dealer Afeez Salisu (alias Malu) in Mushin where 16 compressed blocks of Ghana Loud, a strain of cannabis as well as designer sachets and bottles of Colorado weighing 16.4 kilogrammes were recovered from him.

He said a music artist Godspower George Osahenrumwen whose stage name is Steady Boy was last Thursday arrested by NDLEA operatives while attempting to take delivery of a large consignment of Loud, a strain of cannabis concealed inside three cartons of bathtub imported along with other items such as cloths and gadgets from New York, United States.

He revealed that the arrest followed the seizure of the shipment which arrived the import shed of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos from US aboard a DHL flight last Tuesday.

Babafemi said the 20-year-old music artist was nabbed at Bougain Villa, Primewater Gardens 2, Freedom way, Lekki Lagos when he showed up as the consignee to take delivery of the 140 bags of Loud with a gross weight of 77.2 kilogrammes on behalf of a syndicate, which includes his manager, Zion Osazee Omigie (a.k.a Zee Money) who is currently at large.

In Kaduna, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Abuja – Jos highway on Sunday 26th October intercepted a consignment of 84,710 capsules of tramadol coming from Onitsha, Anambra state and heading to Bauchi. A follow up operation in Bauchi led to the arrest of the recipient Musa Abdulkarim, 27.

Babafemi said two days later, on Tuesday, operatives at the tollgate along Abuja – Kaduna highway arrested Hamza Musa, 47, conveying 32, 946 bottles of Akuskura, a New Psychoactive Substance (NPS) from Lagos, while Saidu Nafiu, 30, was nabbed with 131.5 kilogrammes skunk at Kamfanin Zangon Aya, Igabi local government area, Kaduna.

Babafemi revealed that three suspects: Seun Olaniyi, 24; Rauf Asogba, 28; and Ayinla Adeniyi, 50, were last Saturday arrested at Abeokuta, Ogun state after a team of NDLEA officers tracked their movement from Benin Republic and eventually intercepted their bus along Abiola way, Abeokuta, with a total 1,779 kilogrammes skunk recovered from them.

He said while Jamilu Mustapha (a.k.a Last Card), 46, was arrested with 596.4 kilogrammes skunk at Nasaru town, Ningi local government area, Bauchi State last Wednesday, no fewer than 532,600 pills of tramadol and exol-5 were recovered from the trio of Halilu Amiru; Rabiu Maikudi and Ibrahim Mati in a truck marked KTG- 791 ZZ at Oko-olowo, Ilorin, Kwara state same day.

In Edo state, NDLEA officers on patrol along Okhokho – Isi community in Uhunmwode local government area last Wednesday intercepted two Toyota Sienna buses marked EPE 545 EV and ABC 142 CD conveying a total of 1,455 kilogrammes skunk following credible intelligence.

He said in like manner, operatives in Ondo state last Tuesday recovered a total of 2,829 kilogrammes skunk linked to a 32-year-old female suspect Mrs. Ige Olarewaju from two locations at Ayede, Ogbese, while another suspect Samuel Adebayo was nabbed with 737 kilogrammes of same psychoactive substance at Adegbola junction, Akure.

No less than 76.5 litres of skuchies, a mixture of black currant, skunk and opioids were seized from a suspect Ige Oluwale, 50, who was arrested by NDLEA officers at Ibereko, Bagadry, Lagos last Friday, while a total of 30,370 pills of tramadol and 177 grammes of methamphetamine were recovered from the duo of Musbahu Abdullahi, 28; and Saleiman Ahmed, 25, following their arrest at Wukari, Taraba state by operatives last Thursday when they were conveying the drugs from Onitsha, Anambra state to Yola, Adamawa state.

Babafemi said commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), while commending the officers and men of MMIA, Lagos, Kaduna, Edo, Kwara, Ogun, Taraba, Ondo, Seme, and Bauchi commands as well as their compatriots across the country for their resilience, professionalism and balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the country, vowed that the agency will continue to target and dismantle every identified drug syndicate in any part of Nigeria while denying them of the benefits of the proceeds of their criminal trade by ensuring that they forfeit all their traceable assets to the Federal Government.

NDLEA busts clandestine Colos lab in Lagos

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Exclusive: How bandit kingpin Jankare was killed in Katsina

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Exclusive: How bandit kingpin Jankare was killed in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

Fresh fact have emerged how the Notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Abdurrahman Jankare, was killed by a rival in an internal dispute in Tsaskiya village, Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Reliable security and local sources Zagazola Makama that Jankare was gunned down on Thursday by a fellow bandit identified as Nazanku, a trusted ally of another notorious bandit leader, Dan Ori.

The incident, sources said, stemmed from a feud over the seizure of a rifle and a bag containing magazines belonging to Nazanku.

“Last week, Jankare seized Nazanku’s rifle, and just yesterday, he also took a bag in which he kept magazines. This provoked Nazanku, who confronted him and shot him dead,” one of the sources said.

Only seven people reportedly attended Jankare’s funeral prayer before he was buried later in the day.

Until his death, Kachalla Jankare was one of the most feared lieutenants of the late Kachalla Usman Modi Modi and was linked to several deadly attacks and kidnappings in Dutsinma, Safana, and Kurfi Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

His death is said to have triggered renewed tension among rival bandit factions across the northwest forest axis.

Exclusive: How bandit kingpin Jankare was killed in Katsina

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JNIM claims first attack in Kwara, four months after announcing new brigade

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JNIM claims first attack in Kwara, four months after announcing new brigade

By: Zagazola Makama

Al-Qaeda–linked militant group, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), has claimed responsibility for an attack in Kwara State, its first in Nigeria, four months after announcing the establishment of a new brigade in the country.

According to intelligence sources, the attack reportedly occurred in the northern part of Kwara, along the border corridor linking Niger and Kogi States.

JNIM, which operates mainly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, announced in June the creation of a new brigade for Nigeria, raising concerns about a possible southward expansion of jihadist influence.

Zagazola said that the claim aligns with earlier intelligence warnings of cross-border infiltration through smuggling routes connecting Benin Republic and Niger.

“JNIM’s latest statement describes the attack as the debut operation of its Nigerian brigade. If verified, this would indicate a dangerous evolution of the regional threat landscape,” the source said.

Security operatives in Kwara, Niger, and Kogi States should intensify patrols and surveillance in response to the development, with reinforcements deployed to border communities.

Military and intelligence agencies should work to identify possible linkages between JNIM operatives and local extremist networks.

The incident comes amid heightened regional insecurity and the continued fragmentation of terror groups across the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin.

JNIM claims first attack in Kwara, four months after announcing new brigade

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