Leaders of Student Union Governments, SUGs, across various higher institutions in Niger State have been urged to collaborate with their school authorities to tackle Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, SGBV, in the state.

The call was made by Hafsat Kusherki, the Gender-Based Violence, GBV Desk Officer at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, during a one-day training organised for selected SUG leaders by Global Promoters for Community Initiative, GPCI, in Minna.

She emphasised the need for SUG leaders to sensitise their fellow students to speak out and report any form of violence.

According to her, “The aim is to strengthen women and students’ voices, promote women’s rights, and end violence against women and girls in Niger State.”

The project coordinator of GPCI, Olasukanmi Kalejaiye, called on the National Assembly to pass the bill on sexual harassment into law, specifically, the bill to prevent, prohibit, and redress sexual harassment in tertiary education institutions.

He also urged the Niger State Government to pass the Gender Equal Opportunity Law and to establish a commission for people with disabilities.

Hajara Achibi, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, explained that the training was designed to raise awareness of the harmful effects of negative behaviours, stereotypes, and GBV on both survivors and the wider community, as well as the roles individuals and communities can play in prevention.

The student leaders, drawn from institutions including the Federal University of Technology, FUT Minna, and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, IBBU, Lapai, among others, called for step-down training sessions in their respective campuses to enable students and survivors of SGBV to speak up and report to the appropriate authorities.

In a bold and decisive move, the Babanla community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, recently identified as one of the state’s flashpoints for banditry, has initiated a grassroots response to the growing insecurity in the area.

According to unconfirmed reports, the Community Development Association, CDA, has summoned all traditional chiefs and ward heads to return and reside in Babanla during this critical period.

OSUNDAILY NG reports that many traditional rulers in the local government had earlier relocated to Ilorin, the state capital, following the incessant invasion of parts of the area by suspected bandits.

The directive, aimed at forging a united front, comes amid heightened tension after a string of attacks by armed assailants.

In recent days, the community has witnessed a spate of alarming kidnappings, including the abduction of two underage children from the household of the Olori (wife of the community head). The incident occurred just six days ago.

The Olori, however, narrowly escaped the attempted abduction, prompting the kidnappers to seize the two teenage children instead.

The abductors have reportedly demanded a staggering N200 million ransom for their release, with the children believed to be held at a location near Baba Sango.

Compounding the situation further, the chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Babanla Branch, was also kidnapped approximately ten days ago.

Reports indicate that the captors deliberately incapacitated him to prevent any escape attempt and are demanding N10 million as ransom.

Allegations have since emerged implicating certain prominent individuals within the community, accused of acting as informants and providing logistical support to the bandits. These unconfirmed claims have sparked calls for a thorough investigation and heightened internal vigilance.

Community leaders are now urging residents to remain calm, cooperative, and alert, assuring them that steps are being taken to address the crisis in a holistic manner.

Meanwhile, security operatives are expected to intensify their operations in the area to prevent further attacks and secure the safe return of the kidnapped victims.