General News
CHRISTIAN GROUP PETITIONS TINUBU OVER ALLEGED MARGINALISATION IN BORNO’S GWOZA
A Christian faith-based organisation, the Gwoza Christians Community Association (GCCA), has urgently appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in what it calls prolonged persecution, exclusion and neglect of Christians from Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
In a detailed press statement issued by its National Coordinator, Rev. Dr. (Arc) Ayuba John Bassa, the group accused authorities of failing to address the plight of Christian survivors of the insurgency, alleging a sustained pattern of injustice and discrimination.
“We are not asking for a favour. We are begging for the dignity of truth, justice and a safe home for our people. Too many churches, homes and lives were destroyed. Too many of our sons remain unaccounted for. Silence and denial have compounded our grief. Mr President, your urgent, visible action can stop the slow death of our communities,” the GCCA stated.
The association detailed extensive destruction, noting that 148 out of 176 large churches in Gwoza LGA were burnt and remain in ruins, with only 12 rebuilt, attributing those to Vice President Kashim Shettima’s past efforts as Governor. The human cost cited includes, in Gwoza-West alone, 74 towns sacked, 36,946 families displaced, 99 churches destroyed, and 292 people killed in September 2013. Further figures were given for attacks in Attagara and Gwoza town, with a total of 12 pastors reportedly killed in the LGA.
The GCCA claims about 107,000 Gwoza Christians are currently in 27 IDP camps across seven states and the Minawao Refugee Camp in Cameroon, with an additional 50,000 living with relatives. It alleged discrimination in reconstruction, stating that among thousands of resettlement houses built, only three Christian beneficiaries could be identified. It also raised concern over the demolition of a church within Gwoza General Hospital, which was converted to a solar farm while a mosque on the same premises was rehabilitated.
The group highlighted unresolved cases, including the 2013 abduction of five members, involving a former local government vice chairman, who remain missing, alleging witness accounts of military vehicle involvement. It also cited the recent arrest and denied bail of a couple, Mrs. Lami and Amos, in Maiduguri for sharing their faith.
Further allegations include systemic exclusion, such as the absence of Christian Religious Knowledge in public schools, lack of fair representation in public offices, and public minimisation of Christian suffering.
The GCCA called for decisive presidential action, specifically urging against cash compensation. “Do not give our refugees in Cameroon #500,000 per family as compensation, enticement, or bet in the name of resettlement. Build their homes on their ancestral land in Gwoza and give them the keys. Our IDPs do not need money; they need homes to live in,” the statement added.
Among its demands, the group called for a transparent audit of reconstruction projects, an independent investigation into the abductions, restoration or compensation for destroyed churches, equitable land restitution, reinstatement of CRK in schools, fair representation in governance, immediate humanitarian support, public acknowledgment of grievances, and the deployment of a military battalion in Gwoza-East.
“GCCA does not seek confrontation but truth, justice and a dignified path home. We urge Mr President, the father of the nation, to demonstrate federal concern and leadership by meeting these demands,” the statement concluded.
The monarch of Ozoro Kingdom in Delta State has denied any prior knowledge of a controversial festival linked to the alleged abuse of women and girls, as outrage continues to trail the incident across Nigeria.
The traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty Anthony Ogbogbo, made the clarification when a delegation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) visited his palace following reports of harassment during the ‘Alue-Do’ festival.
According to the monarch, he had never encountered such practices in his over two decades on the throne. He stated that he had “never heard that a festival is celebrated with girls being harassed or molested” in the community, distancing the palace from the widely condemned incident.
The controversy stems from viral videos showing women being chased, stripped, and assaulted by youths during the cultural event held in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area. The disturbing footage sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over gender-based violence.
During the palace visit, the NANS delegation; alongside student leaders from Southern Delta University, confirmed that some of the victims were students who had since received medical attention. While reports indicated no confirmed cases of rape, the students described the incidents as serious molestation and a violation of human dignity.
NANS condemned the attacks, describing them as a gross violation of human rights and a threat to the safety of students in the community. The association called on security agencies to ensure a thorough investigation and bring perpetrators to justice.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Government has also condemned the incident, describing it as “barbaric” and unacceptable, stressing that no cultural practice should justify violence against women. Authorities have launched investigations, with police confirming the arrest of suspects linked to the incident.
Civil society organisations, including ActionAid Nigeria, have also demanded immediate prosecution of those responsible, insisting that cultural traditions must not be used to excuse abuse or undermine the rights and dignity of women and girls.
The incident has intensified calls for stricter enforcement of laws protecting women and for a review of traditional practices that may expose individuals to harm.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has confirmed that one of its officials has been taken into custody following the death of a corps member, Miss Victoria Ariyo, in Abeokuta South.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, the NYSC described the incident as “tragic and deeply disturbing,” noting that investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.
The statement, signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, disclosed that the staff member allegedly linked to the incident is currently in custody while relevant authorities continue their probe.
According to the scheme, it is working closely with security agencies to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation without interference.
“The management of the NYSC is deeply saddened by the loss of a corps member in Abeokuta, Ogun State, under circumstances currently being investigated,” the statement read.
The organisation extended condolences to the family of the deceased, praying for strength and comfort during the difficult period.
It also reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on misconduct, stressing that the scheme maintains strict standards for both staff and corps members.
“We assure the public that we are cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities to ensure the truth is established and justice is served without fear or favour,” the statement added.
The NYSC further urged the public to refrain from speculation and allow due process to take its course, emphasising that the welfare, safety, and dignity of corps members remain a top priority.
The Delta State Police Command has arrested 11 additional suspects in connection with the sexual assault of women in Ozoro, bringing the total number of persons in custody to 15.
Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, disclosed the development in a statement on Saturday, noting that the arrests followed a detailed review of video evidence and intelligence by operatives.
According to him, the suspects include Samson Atukpodo, Steven Ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, Evidence Oguname, and six others.
The Command stated that preliminary investigations, under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, revealed that the acts were carried out by criminal elements who took advantage of the situation to perpetrate sexual violence.
Police authorities emphasised that the actions were in no way reflective of any legitimate cultural practice.
“The Command condemns these acts in totality and remains committed to ensuring that all perpetrators are identified, arrested, and prosecuted,” the statement added, while urging victims and witnesses to come forward with useful information.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage following the circulation of a viral video showing young women being sexually harassed during a local festival in the community.
The footage was linked to the Alue-Do Festival held in Ozoro, a cultural event associated with traditional rites.
Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Bar Association described the incident as a “national disgrace,” calling for swift justice for the victims.
Similarly, the Delta State Government condemned the act, with the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, describing it as “barbaric and unacceptable.”
However, the leadership of Ozoro Kingdom refuted claims circulating online, stating that the incident was a misapplication of certain symbolic aspects of the Alue-Do Festival by some youths.
Earlier, the police had announced the arrest of a community head and four other suspects in connection with the case, as investigations continue.