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Incessant Rape: Group Calls For State Of Emergency On Sexual, Gender-based Violence

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A Bauchi based NGO, ‘Attal Sisters’ Helping Hands Foundation’ (ASHHF) has called for state of emergency on sexual and gender based violence against women.

Mrs Comfort Attal, the Executive Director of the organisation made the call on Friday while on a peaceful protest to the state Commissioner for Justice, Yakubu Bello.

According to Attal, the State Government should institute a motion in the House of Assembly to declare state of emergency on sexual and gender based violence.

READ ALSO: Omozuwa Murder: Fish Out Perpetrators, Group Challenges Edo Govt, Security Agencies

She told the commissioner that since the outbreak of COVID-19, violence against women has increased with 50 per cent in the state.

Attal Sisters’ Helping Hands Foundation’ (ASHHF) members in a group photograph

“I’m devastated at the escalating reports of violence against women and girls in Bauchi State and Nigeria at large.

“Since the beginning of Covid-19 pandemic, the number of calls has increased on our hotline services.

“Violence against women has increased as high as 50 per cent in Bauchi state while in some states, service providers couldn’t assist victims as they were trapped at home with their abuser because of lack of access to phones or transportation.

READ ALSO: Funeral Service For Madam Mary Orhue Uzamere Holds Friday, 5, June 2020

“I am urging you to speak out on this issue on the floor of the House to push a motion to declare a state of emergency on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in the state and in Nigeria at large,” she urged.

The executive director stressed that rape was both an inhuman and degrading treatment against women and girls, adding that it was a disrespect to dignity and has lasting negative effect on victims.

“In the past one week, 16-year old girl was abducted and ganged raped in Bauchu state; Uwa was raped and killed in a Church in Benin; Tina was shot dead in Lagos; 13-year-old girl was raped by 11 men in Jigawa, Barakat was rapped and stabbed to death.

“Those are only few reported in the news, we need justice, we need a state of emergency declared today.

READ ALSO: Undermining Power Of The Media Is Self-destructive, Says Edo Commissioner-designate

“On this note, there is need for the state and the federal government to declare a state of emergency and to pass the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.

More photos of Attal Sisters’ Helping Hands Foundation’ (ASHHF)

“will you lead in the fight?” the executive director asked.

In his reaction, Bello said that the state government would take measures to ensure that those found wanting would not go unpunished.

The commissioner, also the state Attorney General urged the organization to always collaborate with the police and keep the ministry of Justice apprised of latest happening of such violence case, especially those that had been reported to the police.

READ ALSO: Bauchi Governor Awards N45 billion Projects Within One Year

“I want to assure you that we are Attal Sisters’ Helping Hands Foundation conducting a peaceful protest on the need for Bauchi govt. to declare state of emergency on sexual and gender based violence in the state. leaving no stone unturned to ensure that we address this menace of girl-child vulnerable rights as regard to women violence,” the commissioner said.

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Three Operatives Injured As NDLEA Officers, Armed Hoodlums Clash In Edo Forest

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said its operatives repelled gunfire from armed hoodlums in Opuje, Edo State, as they sought to access forest warehouses storing psychoactive substances.

This was made known in a statement signed by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, shared on the agency’s X account on Thursday.

The incident followed a similar attack 11 months ago when NDLEA officers were ambushed during an operation, resulting in the arrest of suspects.

READ ALSO: NDLEA Arrests Three Blind Men Over Drug Trafficking, Seizes Narcotics Worth N13bn

Opuje is known for large-scale cannabis cultivation, with drug cartels investing heavily in protecting their warehouses.

The statement said, “Following credible intelligence that the drug cartels had again stocked their warehouses in the forest to start distribution of the psychoactive substance to various parts of the country ahead of the yuletide season, teams of NDLEA officers were mobilized to enter the Edo forests and block the distribution of the illicit drug by destroying their warehouses.

“Some of the warehouses containing about 6,000kgs of cannabis were first taken down in Ujiogba forest in Esan West LGA last weekend.

READ ALSO: NDLEA Intercepts Abuja-bound Loads Of Laughing Gas Consignments, Destroys 40 Tons Of Cannabis Plants

“The NDLEA teams, however, came under gunfire attack in the early hours of Monday 4th December when they approached the Opuje forest after the armed hoodlums had blocked all access roads in the community. The NDLEA operatives were able to exit the area after over two hours of gunfight with the armed hoodlums.

“Unfortunately, three of the officers were injured in the attack with one of them shot in the head while some of the vehicles used for the operation were riddled with bullets. The affected officers were rushed to the hospital for treatment while the critically injured one had a major surgery on Wednesday 6th December to remove the bullets in his brain.”

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VIDEO: Policemen Demand Money From Foreign Female Biker

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Some policemen have been sighted in a video demanding money from a female biker who was on a tour of Nigeria from the Netherlands.

The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, on Thursday, said the officers were recorded along Moniya Road in Oyo State.

The officers had flagged down the biker, asking her where she was from and where she was heading.

READ ALSO: Police Arrest Four Officers For Alleged Kidnapping In Rivers

The Dutch replied that she was from the Netherlands and she was on her way to Abuja, apparently surprising the two officers.

In the 1:26-minute video, the officers asked the woman to offer them money or whatever she had in her possession.

Interacting with the biker in pidgin, the officers said: “Wetin you bring come? Wetin you won give me. O yah give me something nah.”

The tourist appeared not to comprehend the officers’ message until they clearly said, “Give me money, money,” to which she asked, “Why?”

READ ALSO: Why I Visited Kuje Prison – Ooni Of Ife

Reacting to the video shared by an X user, @Oyoaffairs, the Force PRO, Adejobi called on the Oyo State police command to look into the incident.

Now that is along Moniya in Oyo, @OyoPoliceNG should take necessary steps on that. I have notified the PPRO Oyo of this. They need to be worked upon,” Adejobi reacted.

Watch video below:

https://x.com/MobilePunch/status/1732749914080194872?s=20

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EFCC Arraigns Man Over Alleged $63,590 Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Command, on Wednesday, arraigned one Abdulhamid Isah before an Ikeja High Court over alleged $63,599 fraud.

Isah is facing a three-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretences, stealing and retaining proceeds of criminal conduct.

The defendant, arraigned before Justice Ismail Ijelu, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

The EFCC Prosecutor, Mr Nwandu Ukoha, told the court that the defendant had, sometime in Oct. 2022, obtained $63,590 by false pretences.

READ ALSO: EFCC Warns Nigerians Against ATM Swap Fraudsters

Ukoha said the defendant also stole the said amount belonging to one Chinedu Ugokwe.

He informed the court that the money was given to Isah with the intention to exchange the same for the naira equivalent which the defendant failed to do.

The prosecutor stated that the defendant also retained the said amount, suspected to be proceeds of criminal conduct.

According to him, the offences contravene Section 1(1)(2) and (3) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006.

He said the offences also contravened Sections 278(1) (b), (2)(1) and 285(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State No. 11 of 2011 and Section 17 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.

READ ALSO: Why We Detained NAF Personnel In Kaduna – EFCC

Ukoha urged the court to remand the defendant accordingly, pending the commencement of trial.

He also said that the bail application of the defence counsel should be at the discretion of the court.

The Defence Counsel, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, moved a bail application, praying the court to grant the application, requesting that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody.

Consequently, the judge granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5 million, with two sureties in like sum.

Ijelu said one of the sureties must be related to the defendant by blood and must reside in Lagos.

He also said the sureties must present evidence of a reliable source of livelihood and that the defendant be produced at every trial date.

The judge then ordered the remand of the defendant in Ikoyi Correctional Centre, pending the perfection of his bail.

He adjourned the matter till Feb. 1, 2024 for trial.

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