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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.

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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.

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“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

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“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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Anambra Court Jails Two For Vandalising Electricity Cables

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A Federal High Court sitting in Awka, the Anambra State capital has sentenced Chinonso Chinaemelu, 27-year-old, and Okoye Christian, 20-year-old to one-year imprisonment respectively for vandalising a distribution substation belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc.

This development was made known by the Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC, Emeka Ezeh, in a statement on Thursday.

Ezeh said the duo were arrested on November 29, 2023, by Abatete local vigilante group while attempting to vandalise the distribution substation within the locality.

He also confirmed that in the same week, a couple identified as Mr & Mrs Ebuka Umeh, were arrested by members of Isuorji community neighbourhood security in Orlu, Imo State.

READ ALSO: Hoodlums Set Anambra Police Station Ablaze

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According to him, the couple was arrested when the wife was attempting to pick the vandalised items from a distribution substation belonging to EEDC with their motorcycle, adding that the couple attacked the substation for three days.

Ezeh said, “In a related development, a vandal suspect identified as Chukwuebuka Ezike who hails from Umunachi in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State was arrested by Umuezinachi community neighbourhood watch while he was cutting aluminum conductor around Orie Uguiri Market.

“At Amachi-Izhia, Ebonyi State, Amara Joseph Ajagbo was arrested by members of the Electricity Committee for vandalizing nine spans of aluminum conductors in their community, while two of his gang members escaped.

READ ALSO: Court Sentences Chinese To Death For Killing Nigerian Girlfriend

“The suspects have been handed over to the respective Police formations for proper investigation and possible prosecution.”

Ezeh lamented the spate of vandalism in the EEDC network, stating that it is a major challenge negatively impacting the smooth operations of the company.

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According to him, between January 2022 to date, the company has recorded over 170 cases of vandalism in its network, with about 135 suspected vandals arrested, out of which over 100 have been charged to court.

He stressed that the company will not relent in its resolve to prosecute these arrested suspects and go all out to fish out receivers of these vandalized items as they remain the motivation for the vandals.

Ezeh lamented that it has become difficult for the organisation to fund the restoration of vandalised infrastructure and that the development is affecting service delivery to customers.

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Hoodlums Set Anambra Police Station Ablaze

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Some yet-to-be-identified assailants have set ablaze the police divisional headquarters in Nneni, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

It was gathered that the hoodlums invaded the facility in the early hours of Thursday and threw explosive devices that burnt parts of the building.

A source and one of the residents in the area said the hoodlums were attempting to free some inmates at the facility, but they were unsuccessful as police officers on duty repelled the attack.

READ ALSO: INEC Disowns LP’s National Convention

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the attack but added that no life was lost.

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“In Nneni, no life was lost. No policeman was whisked away, and no armed was taken away. Instead, the hoodlums threw IEDs into the police facility, which torched part of the building.

“Our operatives gallantly resisted the attackers, which made them flee. Operations are still ongoing, and further developments shall be communicated,” Ikenga said.

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Court Orders Release Of 313 Suspected Terrorists

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A Federal High Court in Borno has ordered the release of no fewer than 313 suspected terrorists arrested by the military.

The court ordered their release for lack of evidence to nail the suspects after the investigation.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, disclosed this during a briefing on military operations across the country on Thursday in Abuja.

He assured all that the military would comply with the court order and release the suspected terrorists to the state government.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Military Yields To Pressure, Frees Abducted Lagos Editor

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Buba said, “During the week, as a follow up to a court order of the Federal High Court in Maiduguri, a total of 313 suspects in detention for terrorism-related offences were to be released to the Borno State government.

“The court ordered the release for want of evidence after the conclusion of the investigation and other ancillary matters.

“The cases were prosecuted by the Department of Prosecution, Federal Ministry of Justice. Accordingly, they would be handed over to the Borno State Government for further action.”

The PUNCH reports that this is not the first time suspected terrorists would be acquitted for want of evidence.

READ ALSO: INEC To Publish Edo Gov Candidates’ Credentials Saturday

The Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had on December 4, 2023, said out of a total of 1,323 suspects prosecuted for terrorism, only 366 convictions were secured.

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He noted that 896 others were discharged for lack of evidence.

Fagbemi said, “I must acknowledge the fact that we have come a long way in this initiative. The first phase of the Kainji Prosecution Project commenced in October 2017 with remarkable achievements where we recorded a total of 366 convictions, 896 others were discharged for want of sufficient evidence and 61 other cases adjourned for further hearing.

“There have been three phases of the exercise so far, spanning between October 2017 and July 2018. I must, at this point, challenge all stakeholders to ensure that the momentum is sustained, seeing how important this assignment is to the well-being of our beloved country and her people.”

 

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