Over 1,000 cases of rape and gender-based violence (GBV) have been recorded in Niger State between January and July 2025.
This was disclosed by Mrs. Mary Isa, Director of Planning and Gender-Based Violence Focal Person at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Minna. She said the reported cases were compiled from various NGOs and logged into a central dashboard used to track and report to the National GBV Monitoring Platform.
According to her, the ministry has been tackling the issue through ongoing sensitization campaigns and collaboration with security agencies.
“We’ve been conducting awareness programmes in markets, mechanic workshops, Emirate Councils, and schools to educate the public about GBV and encourage victims to speak up and report to the appropriate authorities,” Isa said.
She noted that despite these efforts, arrests have been limited, and many cases are being undermined by families who opt to resolve rape incidents privately rather than pursue justice through legal channels.
Isa added that the ministry has service providers in all 25 local government areas of the state to receive and respond to reports of abuse—ranging from physical and sexual violence to emotional and psychological abuse.