NEWS
Threat to Peace, Unity, Stem from Heightened Insecurity, Poverty – IPCR

By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
The Director-General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, yesterday said that Nigeria has continued to grapple with existential threats to peaceful coexistence, unity, human security and sustainable growth.
Ochogwu said that those threats stemmed from heightened levels of insecurity, unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, climate change, marginalization and gender inequality.
In his goodwill message in Abuja at the gender and human security conference organised by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Women Affairs Secretariat, Ochogwu noted that women and girls have increasingly borne the brunt of oppression, harassment, intimidation and gender-based violence.
The conference was organised in collaboration with Centre for Gender Security Studies and Youth Advancement, University of Abuja and Office of the Director, Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) Security Services.
The IPCR director-general said that the institute, an apex peace Think-Tank and Research Agency of the Federal Government, has continued to deploy diverse peacebuilding measures to ensure gender parity and human security in the country.
“Permit me to state at this point that Nigeria has continued to grapple with existential threats to peaceful coexistence, unity, human security and sustainable growth. These threats stem from heightened levels of insecurity, unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, climate change, marginalization and gender inequality.
“Particularly, gender inequality, an unequal treatment phenomenon between males and females, has been a purveyor of discrimination, exploitation, social exclusion, violence and dis-empowerment, primarily affecting women. For instance, in some ethnic groups and family lineages, women have been denied rights to land ownership and family inheritance. However, the subsistence cultural ethoses in these scenarios have provided opportunities and privileges to their male counterparts. Indeed, this situation is unacceptable, and I believe our gathering today needs to evolve a formidable strategy to bring about real change to this narrative.
“Additionally, women have oftentimes been confronted with unequal access to power and resources, gender-based division of labour, and inequitable access to education, political participation and decision-making processes in our dear nation. Notably, 96 percent of the seats in our legislature, particularly the House of Representatives are occupied by males, creating a vacuum and hindrance to women’s contribution to good governance, sustainable peace, nation-building, and democratic consolidation,” he said.
Ochogwu said it was worrisome that women and girls have increasingly borne the brunt of oppression, harassment, intimidation and gender-based violence which negatively impacted their well-being, mental health, security and socio-economic empowerment.
“These vulnerable groups have contended with poverty and unemployment, even as their roles in conflict management and peacebuilding have not been fully explored in our nation,” he said.
On steps taken so far by IPCR to address this, Ochogwu said that the Institute alongside Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and UN-Women had facilitated the design of a National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security in Nigeria, adding that the veritable document, launched in 2021,” has become a vital policy instrument for our nation’s peace stakeholders.
According to him, the disturbing state of gender inequality has received attention from national, regional and International organisations.
In her remarks, the Pioneer Mandate Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, said “We gather not only to deliberate but to catalyze action on one of the most pressing issues of our time: the security of women in the FCT.”
She added that “Women in the FCT have always been on the frontline of nurturing and safeguarding our society. Today, we must recognize that their role in addressing insecurity goes far beyond the domestic sphere.
“Women bring unique perspectives and solutions that are essential to comprehensive security strategies. As primary caregivers, educators, and community leaders, women possess invaluable insights into the root causes of insecurity and the means to address them effectively.
“To tackle the challenges we face, women must not only be included but positioned at the forefront of our security interventions.”
NEWS
Assault: Governorship Hopeful Demands Justice for NYSC Member in Anambra

The YPP Candidate in the upcoming Anambra Governorship poll, Mr Paul Chukwuma, has decried the recent alleged assault on a female NYSC member by vigilance operatives (Udogachi) in the state.Reacting to the incident during an interactive session with newsmen in Awka, on Tuesday, Chukwuma described the attack as inhuman.
“I have watched the video of an assault on a lady by members of Udogachi, a security outfit under the control of the Anambra Government. “The lady, identified as Ms Jennifer Elobor, a corps member serving in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of the state, was beaten to a pulp and stripped naked by several operatives of Udogachi.“Similar barbaric behaviour, like the strange abuse of this lady, has continued to be meted out to unsuspecting members of the public in Anambra to the chagrin of all sane minds.“This particular incident must not be swept under the carpet, like the ones before it.“I am calling on the State Government to take a firm stance against these public abusers and bring them to justice.“I also call on the security agencies to ensure that these abusers are not only rounded up, but compelled to face the law,” he said.Chukwuma accused the state vigilance group of being high handed to the people they were supposed to protect.He said: “I am appalled by this absurdity, which has unfortunately become the daily experience of the residents of Anambra, who are held hostage in their homeland by a security outfit set up to protect them.“Notwithstanding, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the governor, has never deemed it necessary to call these people to order.”Chukwuma accused the State Government of not living up to expectation, hence the abuse of power by the security outfit.“The security outfit has always been on the negative side of the news for maltreating innocent citizens,” he said.The governorship hopeful alleged that insecurity in the state had increased unabated.Report says that Operation Udogachi was established by the government to complement the police and other security agencies in the fight against insecurity, such as kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and ritual killings, among other crimes. (NAN)NEWS
Police Nab 23-year-old for Alleged Machete Killing of Girlfriend

The Police command in Rivers has arrested 23-year-old Kingsley Chinamezu for the brutal murder of Miss Confidence Sunny, 44, in Etche Local Government Area of the state. The Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
She said Chinamezu, also known as Power Sharp, allegedly hacked his girlfriend, Sunny, to death with a machete on July 30 in Umuebule community. “After allegedly committing the crime, the suspect fled Rivers but continued issuing threats to the victim’s family, boasting that he could harm them without consequence,” she stated. Iringe-Koko said that after a formal complaint from the deceased’s family, Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, assigned the case to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU). She explained that operatives of the AKU, acting on credible intelligence, tracked and arrested the suspect on Aug. 15 at his hideout in Egbeta village, Edo. “During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime and gave details of the events leading up to the murder,” she revealed. Iringe-Koko said evidence was being compiled while the suspect was undergoing further investigation and profiling for possible involvement in other crimes. CP Adepoju commended the operatives for their swift response and diligence in apprehending the suspect. He assured residents that Rivers would not serve as a haven for criminals, stressing the Command’s firm commitment to justice and public safety. “Perpetrators of heinous crimes should desist, as the law will eventually catch up with them, and they will face its full wrath,” Adepoju warned. (NAN)NEWS
Alia Bows to Pressure, Suspends Council Chairman, Two Head of Parastatals

From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has approved the suspension of the executive chairman of Otukpo local government council, Maxwell Ogiri, for a period of one month.The Governor also affirmed the immediate suspension of the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Grace Adagba, and the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Lottery Commission, Michael Uper for the period of one month each respectively.
Their suspension followed an intense pressure from the State House of Assembly that had earlier passed resolutions calling for immediate suspension of the affected officers.The resolutions of the House were conveyed to the governor’s office regarding the suspension of some public officials.In a statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary Kula Tersoo which was made available to newsmen on Wednesday, said the governor’s action was in line with the resolutions passed by the House.Alia reiterated his unwavering commitment to the rule of law, due process and the principles of separation of powers.He commended the House of Assembly for exercising its constitutional responsibilities and assured the people of Benue State that his administration remains dedicated to transparency, accountability, and good governance.Alia urged all affected institutions to ensure seamless continuity of service delivery during this period and called on the people of Benue State to continue to support the government’s efforts towards building a state that works for all.Recall that at its sitting two weeks ago, the assembly in a unanimous resolution, recommended the suspension of the SUBEB Chairman for gross insubordination, while the Otukpo Chairman and the Executive Secretary, Benue State Lottery Board were accused of misappropriation of funds.The house had insisted that if these persons were not suspended, it would not honor any correspondence from the Governor.The house equally put on hold the screening of the list of commissioner nominees sent to the house by the governor following the inability of the governor to approve the house numerous recommendations.