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Tag: Domestic Violence

  • Domestic Violence: NDLEA to conduct drug test on intending couples

    Domestic Violence: NDLEA to conduct drug test on intending couples

    By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Akwa Ibom has said it would conduct drug test for intending couples to reduce domestic violence in the state. 

    State Commander of NDLEA in the state, Mrs Obot Bassey, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday on the activities of the Agency in the outgone year and projection for 2023.

    Bassey also disclosed that in the year 2022,  NDLEA siezed 460.344kg of hard drugs and arrested 348 suspects.

    She said the suspects comprised 302 males and 46 females, while the hard drugs siezed were 231.377kg of cannabis Sativa, 2.611kg of Cocaine, 0.919kg of Heroine, 0.032kg of Meth, 92.803kg of Amphetamine and 133.196kg of psychotropic substance.

    The state commander said that during the period the command secured 58 convictions, rehabilitated 15 persons and counselled 265 cases.

    She added that within the year under review, the command destroyed by burning to the glare of the public, a total of 2.786 tonnes of drugs exhibits siezed.

    “Of spectacular notes were the arrests and siezures of 90kg Amphetamine with street value of N2.5 billion and 2.4kg of Cocaine by the State Command.

    “Who knows what great damage these drugs if un-intercepted would have done to our immediate families, community and the State,” Bassey said.

    According to her, out of the 31 Local Government Areas in the state, Uyo LGA is the highest area of drug abuse, closely followed by Ikot Ekpene LGA and Itu LGA.

    She said that the command was in dire need of operational vehicles to effectively and efficiently cover the 31 LGAs, operational boats for the marine unit to patrol the waterways and barracks for safety of personnel.

    The commander appealed to multinational organisations, philanthropists and all individuals to join hands with the NDLEA, to reduce drug abuse and trafficking to the barest minimum in the state.

    “So, I am using this medium to tell the entire Akwa Ibom people to look for all substances that are not supposed to be consumed and keep the NDLEA posted on these substances.

    “They must also report any suspected environment or neighbours doing any illicit drug trading or abuse to the agency,” she said

    The Official said the agency was disturbed by the influx of new drugs like Fentanyl into Nigerian market, stressing that fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to Morphine, Heroin and Codeine and 50 to 100 times more potent.

    Bassey added that the command had a robust relationship with other securuty agencies in the state and would continue to in the year ahead to enhance its performance.

    On her projection for 2023, the NDLEA commander said the command’s mandate remains  to dismantle drug cartels in the state, prosecute offenders and intercept the deadly illicit substances from being consumed in the society.

    She emphasised continued sensitisation of the public on what drug is, drug abuse and misused as the 2023 elections draws near.

    The commander warned drug peddlers and dealers in the state to give up their illicit business or face the full wrath of the law.

    She commended Akwa Ibom State Government for their support and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for ensuring the completion parameters fencing of the command office.

  • SBV Survivor, Mother of 5 cries out for protection from abusive husband

    SBV Survivor, Mother of 5 cries out for protection from abusive husband

    … as AWTR gives protection, succour

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    A survivor of Domestic Violence, and mother of five, Mrs. Amina Mohammed( not real name) has cried out for adequate protection for her and her children from her abusive husband.

    Amina who hails from Kogi State reported to an NGO, Association of Wives of Traditional Rulers ÀWTR, that the father of her five children, Mr Abdulrazak a native of Ogun State often times abuse her and the children.

    Amina said that her husband, Abdulrazak a mechanic was in the habit of meting out multiple abuses on her.

    She has charged Abdulrazak , a mechanic who never married her after co- habiting for 13 years with attempt to commit culpable homicide, economic abuse, emotional and psychological abuse among others.

    Amina reported to AWTR that the abuse started after the birth of their second child. She said, ” Abdulrazak became hostile to her steadily beating her up. Over the years, anytime the beating becomes unbearable she sooth for intervention.”
    Amina is a tailor, who resides in Piwoye community in Abuja with Mr. Abdulrazak reported via the AWTR hotline her case of Domestic violence after seeking other avenues to put a stop to the constant abuse.

    She said, ” I reported to The Family of the Mr. Abdulrazak, l reported to a nearby Church in Piwoye community also to a Radio Program, yet the abuse continued.”

    Amina narrated that another trouble started when the owner of a shop she rented a shop for her tailoring business on December 24, 2021, the called her husband to request for the payment of the rent which was due but Mr. Abdulrazak was provoked by the request of a shop owner for rent and resorted to venting the anger on her .

    She was beaten up by Abdulrazak who also threatened to kill her with a tailoring scissors after which she was forced out of their home wit her children.

    Amina alleged that Abdulrazak would often trail her to her to her new shop which she borrowed money to rent to verbally abuse her, calling her indecent names, ceased her property, collecting her sales money, and smashing her phones.

    Left with no other option, Hajia. Amina reported to the Police station. The Police began Warning Mr. Abdulrazak and asked him to stop the violence.
    Also a witness, stated that she saw the perpetrator threatening the victim that he was going to burn down the shop and kill her and the children. He said he wants to die with his family.

    Mr. Abdulrazak is currently on the run from the Police station but he comes to her shop to threaten and beat her occasionally.

    Association of Wives of Traditional Rulers, AWTR have stepped have intervened to protect and give succour to embattled Amina and her five children.

    Chief Project Coordinator of AWTR, Ambassador Hannatu Usman Nga Kupi said the NGO, has intervened to ensure no protect the life of Amina from Abdulrazek’s threats.

    Ambassador Nga Kupi said that for now but they are faced with some constraints because the warring couples were never legally, religiously, and culturally married. They simply did an introduction and began to leave together. Making it hard for the court to call for separation.

    Meanwhile, AWTR has since referred the Amina’s case to the Garki Chief while the community leader in Piwoyi has since invited the Abdulrazak the perpetrator.
    We are still awaiting a feedback, Nga Kupi said.

  • ‘For better for worse doesn’t mean you should suffer’ – Betty Irabor advises women on marriage

    ‘For better for worse doesn’t mean you should suffer’ – Betty Irabor advises women on marriage

    Nigerian columnist, philanthropist, writer, publisher and founder of Genevieve magazine, Betty Irabor took to her social media handle to give words of advice to women enduring domestic abuse.

    According to Betty, marriage is not a do or die affair, which is why women need to leave any marriage that is likely to take their life or make them end up in a psychiatric home.

    Read also: BBNaija: Lucy reveals ex-housemates’ WhatsApp group is for partying and money

    Read all she wrote below;

    “Dear women in abusive relationships….

    1. Marriage is not a Do or Die affair, especially when you’re the one who is likely to DIE from abuse or end up in psychiatric home as a living dead.

    2. FOR BETTER FOR WORSE doesn’t mean you should romanticize suffer head especially when you’re being used as a beast of burden or punch bag which triggers mental and psychological trauma.

    3. “Till death do us part” does not mean that you stay on till you die and are carried out in a coffin because you are staying for your children and because”GOD hates divorce.” Is it God’s will for you to be brutalised and sent to a premature death without fulfilling His purpose in your life?

    4. “In sickness and in health”…doesn’t mean you should stay married to a sicko (psycho). Protect you own health.

    5. Do not allow third parties talk you into staying when you alone know the danger ahead. Leave while your legs can carry you…

    6. You’re by far better off alone & alive to tend your children than leave them for a step mother or family whose love interest MAY not include your children…

    7. Please, please, we understand you’re afraid of starting all over; but stop sabotaging every effort made by Domestic Violence activists to rehabilitate you after you have reached out for help. Stop running back to the vomit..

    No! Half a loaf ( manage marriage) is not better than none. Don’t let society and peer pressure rush you. Your life is gold. You’re a precious diamond. If you can’t see that no one else will… Stay safe… Image… Me and my boo living our best life nearly 37 years on His Grace has been upon us…but we also play our own roles….”

  • Simi slams those insisting to hear the side of an abusive husband in a domestic violence case

    Simi slams those insisting to hear the side of an abusive husband in a domestic violence case

    Sensational singer, Simi has dragged people insisting to hear the side of an abusive husband in a domestic violence story.

    The mother one via her Twitter handle dragged those who say they want to hear the husband side of the story after a woman has been physically abused.

    Read also: “Silence is better than words” – Burna boy’s side chick sends subtle message

    She wrote;

    Alleged human beings responding to a woman (possible risking her life calling out horrible physical abuse from her husband saying ” I want to hear both sides of the story. What is wrong with you?? Many women are unsafe in their own homes. ‘ Be patient. Pray for your husband” what of the kids? So traumatic. Fucking animals”

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  • Court remands bus conductor over armed robbery, rape of 59-year-old woman

    Court remands bus conductor over armed robbery, rape of 59-year-old woman

    An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, on Tuesday, remanded a 30-year-old bus conductor, Wale Hassan, in a correctional facility for allegedly robbing the occupants of an apartment in Ikorodu, Lagos and raping a 59-year-old woman.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Abiola Soladoye ordered Hassan’s remand, following his ‘not guilty’ plea to a four-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery and rape preferred against him.

    The State Prosecutor, Mr Peter Owolabani, told the court that Hassan and others, now at large, committed the offences at 10 pm. on May 30, 2017, at No. 3, Iyabo Olanipekun Street, Ijede, Ikorodu, Lagos.

    “The defendant and his accomplices, while armed with a locally-made double barrel shotgun, robbed one Mrs Tijani Febishola of her jewelry, valued at N5 million.

    “A Samsung Galaxy Note mobile phone, valued at N10,000 and N20,000 cash were also stolen from Febishola.

    “The armed robbery gang robbed another occupant of the premises, Mr Adekunle Akereyegbe of his Blackberry mobile phone, valued at N15,000 and N1,750 cash.

    “They also robbed a 59-year-old trader (name withheld), who is a relative of Febishola of her Tecno mobile phone, valued at N30,000 and N150,000 cash.

    “After robbing the woman, the defendant also raped her,” Owolabani stated.

    He said that Hassan was apprehended by the police while fleeing the crime scene, adding that other members of the gang, however, escaped.

    Owolabani said that six witnesses, including the police and the victims of the armed robbery attack, were scheduled to testify in court against the defendant.

    According to him, the offences contravene Sections 260, 297(2) and 299 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.

    The judge adjourned the case till March 23, for trial.