Crime
UNODC and Partners Support Workshops to Prosecute War Crimes and Sexual Violence in Conflict
UNODC and Partners Support Workshops to Prosecute War Crimes and Sexual Violence in Conflict
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Wayamo Foundation and the United Nations Team of Experts of the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict, conducted two capacity building workshops for Nigerian investigators and prosecutors on the investigation and prosecution of international crimes, with a special focus on conflict-related sexual violence.
The two workshops were conducted under the framework of the recently established project, “Strengthening Nigerian Capacity in the Investigation and Prosecution of International Crimes, with a Special Focus on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence” a joint initiative of the three entities.
The project, which aims to increase accountability for acts of sexual violence allegedly committed by all parties to the conflict in Northeast Nigeria, seeks to build the capacity of prosecutors from the Federal Ministry of Justice’s Complex Case Group (CCG) and Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) Prosecution Hub, as well as investigating and prosecuting officers from the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Although conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is not yet specifically recognized as a distinct offence under Nigerian law, the project aims to broaden the collective understanding of acts that amount to CRSV, such as sexual slavery, forced marriage, forced pregnancy, that fall outside more commonly acknowledged forms of sexual violence in Nigeria, such as rape and sexual harassment, captured by the Criminal Code, Penal Code and Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act.
The project also seeks to emphasize the gravity and distinctiveness of CRSV, as a form of sexual violence not committed in isolation, but in the context of widespread armed violence, including by terrorist groups.
The absence of national legislation on CRSV poses a challenge for Nigeria in meeting its international legal obligations to investigate and prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity. In response to this lacuna, the workshop highlighted the importance of legal innovation, both in terms of how the existing law is interpreted and by leveraging some of the new technological tools that have become available.
Participants explored new ways to utilize the existing offences enshrined in the TPPA to charge acts of CRSV. While in the technological context, the Digital Programme Team at Wayamo briefed the participants on the new digital evidence management tool that Wayamo, in collaboration with UNODC, has introduced to the Joint Investigation Centre (JIC) in Maiduguri and the CCG in Abuja.
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The workshop also provided an opportunity for participants to discuss ways to strengthen inter-agency collaboration between CCG prosecutors and JIC investigators to ensure a joint and cohesive approach to screening, interviewing, evidence recovery, case file preparation, and charging offences.
Underscoring inter-agency collaboration in the period leading up to the UN’s annual 16 Days of Activism on Gender Based Violence which run from 25th November to 10th December is particularly timely and aligns with this year’s global theme: “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”.
Sexual violence in conflict has historically been under reported and under prosecuted, Nigeria must be congratulated in taking important steps to ensure that the individuals responsible for this most insidious terrorist tactic are held to account.
This activity supports the implementation of UNODC’s Strategic Vision for Nigeria in particular as concerns protecting women and children from sexual and gender based violence and exploitation.
UNODC and Partners Support Workshops to Prosecute War Crimes and Sexual Violence in Conflict
Troops Neutralise Suspected Fulani Bandits, Recover Four Motorcycles in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have neutralised a suspected Fulani terrorist during a gun battle with armed men riding motorcycles along Wanka Village in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the encounter occurred at about 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 9, when troops of Sector 2 OPEP manning a blocking position along the Wanka axis sighted an unconfirmed number of suspected terrorists approaching on several motorcycles.
The troops immediately engaged the armed men with superior firepower, forcing them to retreat in disarray.
During the exchange, one of the suspected terrorists was neutralised, while the fleeing members of the group abandoned four Honda motorcycles and other items.
Items recovered from the scene included two mobile phones, one packet of cigarettes and seven tablets of Tramadol.
The recovered items have been taken into military custody and are undergoing investigation to establish possible links to the suspected criminal network.
The operation underscores the continued deployment of troops to strategic blocking positions and patrol routes to disrupt the movement of armed groups and prevent attacks on vulnerable communities in Plateau State.
Troops Neutralise Suspected Fulani Bandits, Recover Four Motorcycles in Plateau
Troops Recover AK-47 Rifle, Discover Suspected Bandit’s Corpse in Old Oyo National Park
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation IGBO DANU II, working alongside hybrid forces, have recovered an AK-47 rifle and discovered the corpse of a suspected bandit during operations inside the Old Oyo National Park.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops engaged suspected bandits at about 4:45 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2026, after sighting the armed group within the park.
The suspected bandits reportedly fled upon sighting the advancing troops.
During the encounter, the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle with registration number 14907, an empty magazine and a locally made Dane gun.
In a follow-up exploitation operation at about 8:45 a.m. on Nov. 8, the troops discovered the corpse of a suspected bandit and destroyed temporary shelters believed to have been used as hideouts by the group.
No further contact was made during the follow-up operation, while troops sustained exploitation efforts in the area.
Troops Recover AK-47 Rifle, Discover Suspected Bandit’s Corpse in Old Oyo National Park
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Burglars Attempting to Steal Chickens in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have arrested two suspected burglars while allegedly attempting to break into a poultry house to steal chickens in Doi community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended at about 6:10 a.m. on Nov. 7, 2026, by troops deployed at Latya Guard Location.
The suspects were reportedly caught while attempting to gain entry into the poultry house with the intention of stealing chickens.
They were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police, B Division, Bukuru, for further investigation and necessary action.
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Burglars Attempting to Steal Chickens in Plateau
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