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

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Boko Haram: UN, NGOs Joint efforts to fight catastrophic food insecurity in Northeast Nigeria

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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Crime

Boko Haram slaughter 27 fishermen in Cameroon

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Boko Haram slaughter 27 fishermen in Cameroon

By: Zagazola Makama

No fewer than 27 fishermen were slaughtered and 3 others abducted by the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah
lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, Boko Haram terrorists group in the fringes of Lake Chad in the border between Cameroon- Nigeria.

It was gathered that terrorists suspected to be from the Buduma faction of Abou Ummaymah, attacked a local fishing community harboring most fishermen from Nigeria at Island Kofiya near Darak in the Republic of Cameroon.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that they asked them to lie down, tie their hands behind their backs before they started slaughtering them.

The sources said the terrorists also abducted four other fishermen after accusing them of spying for the ISWAP faction

The bodies of the fishermen were later recovered during a search and rescue operation by troops and their colleagues who received the news from victims who fled the attack scene.

Boko Haram slaughter 27 fishermen in Cameroon

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NSCDC Discovers Illegal Petroleum Refinery Site in Imo

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NSCDC Discovers Illegal Petroleum Refinery Site in Imo

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has discovered in Egbema West of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State illegal petroleum refinery site with massive capacity.

A statement on Friday by the spokesman of the security agency, Afolabi Babawale read: “In a swift response to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni OFR marching order the CG”s SIS having upscaled their intelligence and operational techniques have uncovered a massive illegal refining site with over 95,000 illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) while others yet to be refined but already siphoned are unquantified in litres.”

He said: “Acting on credible intelligence, the CG’s SIS stormed Otulu Community in Egbema West of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State and discovered an illegal refinery covering a large expanse of land with many cooking pots and illegally connected Pipes tapping from the main Oil Trunk line of NNPC OML 20 assets in Egbema West field; Well 11 location with many fabricated reservoirs, drums and AGO concealed in cellophane bags.

“Upon sighting the resilient and dogged CG’s Special Intelligence Squad the perpetrators took to their heels through the thick forests. “

He revealed that: “The following exhibits were recovered at the crime scene:

“Galvanized iron pipes, several locally fabricated metal reservoirs, Constant Elepaq Gasoline Generating Set, Bridge Inverter Welding machine ARC 200, Electrical filing machine, Several vandalized Well Head Valves, a yellow coloured Robin GC pumping machine and Packs of Electrolyte.

“Investigation is ongoing to unravel the perpetrators behind the heinous crime while the exhibits recovered would be forfeited to the federal government after the Court’s order. “

Babawale said: “The NSCDC hereby affirms it’s determination to relentlessly combat the menace of Vandalism and crude oil theft to a stand still across the nation.

NSCDC Discovers Illegal Petroleum Refinery Site in Imo

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Crime

Borno Police parades suspects for various criminal offences, Urges public to report any suspected movements

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Borno Police parades suspects for various criminal offences, Urges public to report any suspected movements

By: Babagana Wakil

The Commissioner of Police Borno State call on the people of the state to continue to support the police with timely reports of incidences following the parade of suspected aledged for committing various crimes.

Command under the watch of the Commissioner of Police CP Yusufu Mohammed Lawal has recorded breakthroughs with the recent burst of criminals involved in mischief, culpable homicide, illegal mining and kidnaping in the state.

Police Public relations officer ASP NAHUM KENNETH Daso disclosed this in a statement he signed and made available to Dandal Kura Radio International in Maiduguri.

On Criminal Conspiracy and Illegal Mining at about 1330hirs On the 24th March, 2024 at about diesel tanker truck with four suspects was arrested by Nigeria Army patrol team attached to 331 Battalion and were brought to Bayo division, the suspects were caught in possession of 70 bags of suspected monoxide substance despite the ban of illegal mining activities in the state, the suspects confessed to the crime while investigation ongoing.

Kenneth Daso also stated that on the 11th March, 2024 at about 2000HRS, one Umar Mohammed of Jiddari Polo area Maiduguri reported to GRA police station that while inspecting his uncompleted house in Judumari area Maiduguri, found a shallow grave with an unidentified decomposed body, one digger and 2 knives. On receiving the report police detectives of GRA police station visited the scene and exhumed the body which was further taken to state specialist hospital Maiduguri for autopsy. On the 25th of March 2024 at about 1500HRS police investigation further led to the arrest of one Ibrahim Muhammed who confessed to have conspired with his master one Usman still at large and one Mustapha Modu a laborer who dug the shallow grave where the body was buried and he was paid the sum of N1,500 was also arrested. The case is under investigation as effort is on top gear to arrest the fleeing suspect.

The statement also reveals that On the 29th March 2024, at about 1800HRS one Hauwa Audu Adamu reported to police crack squad Maiduguri, that on the same date at about 1330HRS her son Hisham Mohammed 10yrs of age went for Jum’at prayer and never returned home, the next day 30/04/2024 at about 0900HRS an unknown GSM number called her and demanded a ransom of three million naira N3,000,000. For the release of her son in their custody, a sum of N400,000 was later negotiated and given to the suspects. Police crack squad swung into action and arrested two primary suspects who later confessed to the crime, the victim was rescued unhurt investigation is ongoing.

Borno Police command further disclosed that On the 1st April, 2024 at about 0630HRS, Chief Security Officer of University Of Maiduguri reported to Gwange Police Station that on the same date at about 0530HRS they discovered one Dr Kamal Abdulkadir a lecturer of Department of Physical and Health Education University of Maiduguri lying on his pool of blood, on receipt of the report, police detectives of Gwange police station and forensic experts from State Criminal Investigation Department visited the crime scene and found the victim lying dead with multiple stab wounds and injuries on the body. The victim’s mobile phone and vehicle one Honda Pilot with Reg NO. NGU232XG YOBE Golden Colour was carted away by the criminals; the body was taken to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital Maiduguri for autopsy.
Adding that Eight suspects have been arrested while the case is still under discreet investigation.

On the mater of incessant fire outbreak across the stste on the 24th March 2024 at about 1030HRS Hunter group of Mafa reported to Mafa division with 3 suspects Malum Usman 16yrs, Bulama Bukar 14yrs, Rawa Usman 11yrs all of Mafa IDP camp that suspects were arrested with matches while trying to set a house ablaze in the camp, preliminary investigation further revealed that the trio were sponsored by one Babagana Umar a firewood seller at Muna garage area Maiduguri who contracted them to commit the act at the rate of N10,000 the case is under investigation.

The Commissioner of Police calls on the good people of the state to continue to support the police with timely reports of incidences and further assures diligent investigation and prosecution will be served in all cases

Borno Police parades suspects for various criminal offences, Urges public to report any suspected movements

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