society

NAWOJ LAGOS ADVOCATES FOR TOTAL ERADICATION OF FGM IN NIGERIA

Published

2 years ago

February 7, 2023

NAWOJ LAGOS ADVOCATES FOR TOTAL ERADICATION OF FGM IN NIGERIA

The Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Lagos State Chapter joins the rest of the world to commemorate the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

This year’s theme “Partnering with Men and Boys to Transform Social and Gender Norms to End FGM” calls on the global community to partner with men and boys and foster their engagement to accelerate the elimination of this harmful practice and uplift the voices of women and girls.

According to The World Health Organization (WHO), more than 200 million girls and women have suffered FGM in 30 countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia where it is performed. The act, which is typically performed on young girls between the ages of one and fifteen, is evil in its entirety because it is done without consideration for a woman’s future and ultimately kills her sexuality.

The association condemned the act of FGM as a destructive practice in which the female genital organs are partially or completely removed.

According to the Chairperson of NAWOJ Comrade Adeola Ekine, “This horrible deed is done without medical reasons and it needs to cease to avert more harm to our young ladies,”.

She added that “it indicates continued gender inequality and is a serious sort of injustice against girls and women”.

A young woman’s right to life, in cases where it results in death, as well as her right to health, safety, and physical integrity, as well as her right to be free from torture and other cruel, inhumane, or humiliating treatment, are all violated by FGM.

The practice can cause excessive bleeding, urinary problems, cysts, infections, challenging deliveries, and an increased risk of stillbirth for girls and women. It also has no beneficial effects on their health. Lagos NAWOJ is urging the proper authorities to ensure that the practice is entirely eliminated in all the tribes that are still engaged in it.

Signed:
Adeola Ekine Lilian Ario
Chairperson Secretary

society

Blood in the Bush: Man Butchers 14-Year-Old Girl in Abia Over Rejected Rape Attempt, Police Accused of Extortion

Published

3 hours ago

May 21, 2025

Sahara Weekly

Blood in the Bush: Man Butchers 14-Year-Old Girl in Abia Over Rejected Rape Attempt, Police Accused of Extortion

A 14-year-old girl, Felicia Anaba, is in a coma at an undisclosed hospital in Abia State after she was macheted by a 33-year-old man, Chinazum Nwaubani, who allegedly attacked her in the bush for resisting his attempt to rape her.

The horrifying attack occurred in Obete Nchina village, Ntighauzo community, Obingwa Local Government Area, where Felicia and her twin brother had gone to fetch firewood. According to witnesses, the suspect approached the girl, demanded sex, and upon rejection, inflicted deep machete wounds on her head, leg, and arm before fleeing the scene. Her twin brother escaped and raised the alarm, leading villagers to find Felicia unconscious and soaked in blood.

Her father, Mr. Chijioke Anaba, has raised serious allegations against the Eastern Ngwa Police Division, claiming officers there demanded ₦30,000 before registering the case. “My daughter was unconscious and bleeding to death, and the police still wanted money before doing their job,” he said. “They told me the attacker might be mentally unstable — that’s false. He lives among us and is fully aware of his actions.”

The suspect, who is from the same village as the victim, has since been arrested. However, the family fears he may be released under claims of mental illness.

The Abia State Police Command has acknowledged the arrest but strongly denied any bribe demand. Police spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chinaka, said the Command has not received a formal complaint about the extortion and urged anyone with proof to come forward.

She confirmed the suspect attacked the twins, stating: “He ordered the girl to undress, and when she refused, he attacked her with a machete.” Police say investigations are ongoing, and the victim is receiving medical attention.

Mr. Anaba has appealed to the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, to intervene and ensure justice is served, warning that his daughter may suffer permanent disability. “This is not just an assault. It was a murder attempt. If nothing is done, this man could strike again.”

The incident has reignited concerns over police corruption and the safety of young girls in rural communities, with residents demanding accountability and swift justice. The public is watching closely to see whether the system will punish a would-be rapist — or protect him.

society

ZAMFARA WOMAN FACES DEATH PENALTY FRIDAY FOR CONVERTING TO CHRISTIANITY

Published

4 hours ago

May 21, 2025

Sahara Weekly

ZAMFARA WOMAN FACES DEATH PENALTY FRIDAY FOR CONVERTING TO CHRISTIANITY

A wave of national outrage is building as 22-year-old Zainab Muhamadu prepares to face trial this Friday in a Zamfara Sharia Court for one reason: she left Islam and embraced Christianity.

Zainab’s alleged crime, apostasy, has stirred fierce debate across the country and beyond, with legal experts, human rights defenders, and religious communities warning that Nigeria is teetering on the edge of a full-blown constitutional crisis. Family sources say her ordeal began after she encountered Pastor Samuel, an NYSC member deployed to her community, whose kindness and open sharing of his Christian faith deeply impacted her. The two formed a spiritual bond that would ultimately change—and now threaten—her life.

Her decision to convert sparked immediate backlash. She was arrested by local authorities and is now facing trial under Sharia law, where apostasy is treated as a capital offence. Yet Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the right to change one’s faith. Rights advocates argue that her prosecution violates that very principle.

“This is not just a case about Zainab,” said a human rights lawyer in Yola. “It’s a brutal referendum on Nigeria’s commitment to protect freedom of belief. If she dies for this, it won’t just be her blood on the ground—it will stain the conscience of the nation.”

Calls are mounting for urgent intervention, as fears grow that Zainab’s right to a fair and impartial trial may be compromised in a judicial system heavily influenced by religious authorities. Legal teams are urgently working to have her case moved to a secular court, asserting that she should not be tried under Islamic law for a faith she no longer professes.

At the heart of the storm, Pastor Samuel is said to be under immense emotional and spiritual distress. Supporters are demanding protection for him amid rising tensions and threats.

Zainab’s case is not isolated—it is the chilling face of a wider clash between constitutional democracy and theocratic enforcement. As the clock ticks toward Friday, her life—and Nigeria’s moral standing—hang in the balance.

society

RAINFALL BREAKS PRISON WALL IN ILESA, SEVEN INMATES ESCAPE

Published

4 hours ago

May 21, 2025

Sahara Weekly

RAINFALL BREAKS PRISON WALL IN ILESA, SEVEN INMATES ESCAPE

An overnight downpour on Tuesday triggered the collapse of the perimeter wall at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, allowing seven inmates to escape under the cover of darkness.

According to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), the breach occurred around 2:00 a.m. as a result of structural failure caused by the heavy rain. The incident adds to a growing list of jailbreaks in Nigeria linked to poor infrastructure and extreme weather.

In a statement released by the NCoS spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, authorities have launched a manhunt for the escapees and are working with other security agencies and local community leaders to bring them back into custody. The Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident and assured the public that all efforts are being made to recapture the fugitives.

The service is also appealing to the public for information that could help in locating the escapees. Citizens are urged to contact the nearest security agency or use the hotlines: 07087086005, 09060004598, or 08075050006.

This is the third major prison break in less than a year caused by adverse weather and failing infrastructure. In September 2024, a flood-induced wall collapse in Maiduguri led to the escape of 281 inmates, while in April 2024, rains in Suleja caused a similar breach that allowed 119 inmates to flee.

As security agencies intensify their search, Tuesday’s escape further underscores the urgent need to overhaul Nigeria’s aging and vulnerable correctional facilities.