Concern as report shows spike in sexual, gender based violence in Nigeria

LAGOS, Nigeria – Cases of sexual and gender based violence have continued to soar across the country  with a total of 23 cases reported in two months, a research carried out by CLEEN Foundation, a non-governmental organisation has revealed.

The report anchored by Mr.  Benson Olugbuo, Ph.D, Executive Director, CLEEN Foundation was based on primary and secondary data collected in the 774 LGAs across Nigeria.

Specifically, there 3,838 reports on citizens’ compliance to government directives; 2,038 reports on conduct of security personnel enforcing government directives and 918 reports on human rights violations by security personnel enforcing government directives on the   COVID-19 pandemic.

The reports, which have been forwarded to Government agencies such as the National Human Rights Commission, the Police Service Commission, the Nigeria Police Force (Complaints Response Unit and the Gender Desk Unit) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps showed a spike in sexual and gender-based violence crimes such as rape and defilement of minors – across the country.

Within the period under review,(June and July) the foundation documented twenty-three (23) cases across the six geopolitical zones. 

A breakdown showed that South-South – Rivers state (1), Delta state (1), North Central – FCT Abuja (1), Benue state (5), South-West – Lagos state (2), Ogun state (2), and Osun State (1).  Some of these cases are undergoing investigation and prosecution.

Reports and observations across the country indicate a general decline in citizens’ compliance with government directives which include the dusk to dawn curfew, use of facemasks, physical distancing, restrictions on public gatherings and inter-state movements.

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Compliance to Use of Facemasks and Physical Distancing

In the South-South region, observations across the six states indicate a partial compliance by citizens on the use of facemasks and physical distancing in public places.

Reports from observers in Edo state indicated that there was moderate compliance within the reporting period. For instance, the large crowd that accompanied the state governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki when he defected to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) did not adhere to physical distancing and the use of facemasks rules. 

“There was a moderate level of compliance during the primaries of the two major political parties in the state which took place on 22nd June 2020 for the All Progressive Congress (APC) and 25th June 2020 for the PDP. It was further observed during the primaries, that all the physical distancing measures put in place at the Sam Ogbemudia stadium venue of the PDP primaries were later discarded by party faithful as they were observed clustering in numbers while voting for their preferred candidate. 

“In Akwa Ibom state, compliance level was reported to be high amongst transporters but low in worship centres/churches in the state. Reports from Local Government Areas namely Udung, Okobo, Urue Offong and Mbo indicated that many worshippers are not complying with the use of face masks. The state capital Uyo and Ibiono Ibom communities also recorded minimal compliance to the use of facemasks.

“Similarly, in Bayelsa state, our observers reported low compliance on the use of face masks and physical distancing in both rural and urban areas of the state. Reports received indicate that four (4) big churches were shut down in Yenagoa due to lack of compliance to government directives.  Furthermore, there were reports of a youth election held by the Apex body of Epie Atissa National Congress in Yenagoa town at Bay Bridge Yenezuegene which had in attendance hundreds of youths on   20th June 2020 without any recourse to physical/social distance nor use of face masks.

“Also, a big football tournament was held between Nembe City Football Club and Shining Stars of Bayelsa State on 21st of June 2020 with no adherence to physical/social distancing and the use of face masks by spectators”, the report noted.

In the North Central region, reports across the states indicated little or no compliance to the use of facemasks and physical distancing. It was observed within the period that a high level of compliance with the use of facemask was recorded in worship centers, (amongst the Christian and Muslim faithful) in FCT, Abuja.

Banks and some other governmental agencies around the FCT insist on the use of facemasks before entry into the premises. Similarly, the situation is also not much different in the North East region where  there is  mixed compliance by citizens across the states in the region especially on the use of face masks and physical distancing. It was reported that citizens carry out their normal activities as if there is no COVID-19 pandemic.

Reports from the South-East region  showed low compliance to the use of facemasks and physical distancing directives across the states.

Observers noted that traders, worshippers and transporters across the states paid little or no attention to  government directives. Consequently, the Abia COVID-19 taskforce sealed two churches and one market in Aba for non-compliance with government directives.

Also, in Anambra state, the government shut down the Eke Awka market in Awka South LGA due to non-compliance with the directives. In Imo state, especially in Owerri town, football viewing centers have resumed operation without adherence to the use of facemasks and social/physical distancing guidelines. Large crowd of viewers were seen closely seated. But there was reasonable improvement in adhering to physical distancing directives in churches as services are being split to reduce congregation members.

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Ban on Public Gatherings and Citizens Compliance

CLEEN Foundation observed a decline in public compliance level to government directives on the ban on public gathering. Fifty three (53%) of the observers noted that there were gatherings of more than 20 persons against government directives across the 36 states and FCT against the government directives of public gathering not to exceed 20 persons.

In  Bayelsa, South-South region, it was observed that citizens in Nembe, Sagbama, Kolokuma, and Brass Local Government Areas of the state were holding funerals and marriage ceremonies without compliance to the ban on public gathering.

In Delta State, our observers reported low compliance as citizens congregated in large numbers in most clubs, bars and marriage ceremonies in Uvwie, Ughelli North, Sapele, Udu, and Warri South Local Government areas. In Rivers state, the government issued guidelines on the conduct of marriage ceremonies in their state. In accordance with the guidelines, prospective couples are mandated to secure approval from the Commissioner of Social Welfare, and such ceremonies must have an attendance limit of 50 persons with each attendee providing detailed contact information.

Furthermore, citizens are directed to obtain an approval from the state government before conducting burial ceremonies in the state and a fine of N10 million imposed for defaulters.

In the North Central region, it was observed that in Karu and Akwanga LGAs of Nassarawa state, there is large patronage of bars and event centres in the area. In Benue state,  there were social activities including parties for the newly sworn in Local Government Areas Chairmen in Oju, Makurdi, Obi and Logo Local Government Areas of the state without any adherence to the relevant health advisory guidelines.

Similarly, in Mashegu, Agaie Local Government Area of Niger state and Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau state respectively, clusters of people were seen watching football matches at viewing centres. Also, in the Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau state, a coronation ceremony was reported to have been held where more than 50 persons attended.

In Dekina/Bassa, Koton-Karfe and Idah Local Government Areas of Kogi state, various activities such as traditional festivals, social and religious gatherings were observed to be ongoing as normal. Specifically, in Dekina/Bassa LGA a burial ceremony was organized for the father of a former House of Representative member which witnessed large attendance. At all of these events, it was observed that there was no regard to the relevant health advisory guidelines particularly on restrictions of public gatherings.

In the South Eastern and South Western regions respectively, reports on citizen compliance varied.  In the South East, reports from observers in Abia state indicated reasonable compliance to the state government’s directives on public gatherings as LGA Chairmen have been directed to enforce the directives in their respective domains. Also, citizens in the state are now mandated to obtain permits from the state government before holding any events like burials ceremonies.

However, there were reports of social clubs and market union meetings being held. In Ebonyi state, the government recently allowed a two-week grace period for burial ceremonies to be held up to June 16, 2020. In Imo State it was reported that several burial ceremonies and other public gatherings took place at different locations without adhering to the ban on public gatherings and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). 

In the South West, reports from Ondo East LGA in Ondo state indicated low compliance to the ban on public gathering as people were seriously involved in political party meetings in preparation toward the upcoming gubernatorial election in the state.

Inter-State Movements

Before the restrictions on interstate movements were lifted on the 29th of June 2020, the following violations were committed across the six geopolitical zones by citizens and security personnel alike.

In the South- South region, our observers reported that the Ughelli -Bayelsa expressway, Koko-Benin express road and Asaba -Onitsha head bridge have become a bazaar for security personnel manning those checkpoints who delight in extorting transporters and commuters alike. It was reported that security personnel collect between N500- N3,000 at each checkpoint in Delta State.

In Bayelsa state, commercial motorists were seen conveying   passengers from Yenagoa to Port Harcourt (Rivers state) and to Ughelli (Delta State) with the compromise of security personnel. In Rivers state, it was observed that security agents and the State Task Force now collect N1,000 from drivers to allow them to cross the borders.

In the North Central region, the situation was not different as it was reported that the Lokoja-Abuja Highway remained a busy route as people were travelling despite the restrictions in place.  Similar reports were received from Abaji Area Council where people moved freely to nearby towns/villages in Nasarawa and Kogi states unhindered.

Reports from Benue state also showed no compliance to the restrictions as vehicles were seen moving in and out of the state unhindered especially at the border communities between Agatu LGA and Nasarawa state where people come into the state to purchase food items. Vehicles were also seen moving into the state from Enugu and Cross River states.

Similarly, observers in the South-East region indicated that there were free movements of people across the various states borders in the South-East. In Abia state, it was reported  that the closure of abattoirs in neighbouring states like Cross River had resulted inflow of meat sellers from the other states on a daily basis. Similar reports from Umunneochi, Ukwa West and other border communities in the state indicated that interstate movements persisted though on a low scale. It was therefore not surprising that Nigerians celebrated the lifting of the ban on inter-state travel  since it created opportunities for security agencies to collect money from travelers.

Conduct of Security Personnel on Enforcing directives

The conduct of security personnel deployed to enforce public compliance on government directive has remained good  as reported by 54% of CLEEN Foundation observers deployed across the 774 LGAs in Nigeria.

Thirty (34%) of the observers reported their conduct to be fair while 12% noted that the conduct of security personnel on COVID 19 duty is poor.

Within the period,  observers in FCT Abuja reported issues of sharp practices carried out by private security personnel stationed at Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) located at Area 3, Garki, Abuja. The private security personnel at the bank were observed taking bribes from customers in order to let them go out of turn and gain entrance into the bank. It has been a recurring decimal as a lot of customers were observed complaining of the activities of private security personnel stationed at the bank.

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 Human Rights Violations

Human rights violations recorded include, public safety and security issues arising from ongoing banditry in some states of the North Western region, Boko haram reprisal attacks in the Borno state in the North East and communal clashes in the South East.

 In Jigawa state, North West region, there were reported killings following a serious clash between farmers and herdsmen at Garki Local Government Area of the state. A similar situation occurred in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State where one security personnel alongside six villagers were killed on Thursday 25th June 2020 when bandits attacked two villages in the Local Government Area.

 There were also reports that in a bid to evade attacks by bandits, eight frontline Local Government Areas of Katsina State have resorted to a truce and payment of monthly fees to the bandits. Some of the villages allegedly involved are Unguwar Tsamiya, Birnin Kogo, Bangi, Kahi, and Raba all within Faskari Area Council as confirmed by a resident.

The issue of farmer-herder clashes was also recorded in Agwa community in Oguta LGA of Imo state where it was reported that herdsmen on Sunday June 14, 2020, killed a 75-year-old farmer, Mr Ozoemena Iriaka. The incident raised serious tension in the community.

The recent attack in Borno state, North East region on the United Nations humanitarian helicopter on Thursday, 2nd July, 2020 by insurgents and the killing of two civilians including a 5-year-old child in Damasak reaffirms the insecurity in the region despite the ongoing pandemic. On the issue of communal clashes, it was reported that in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, on June 8th and 10th 2020 respectively, there were attacks on the people of Onuenyim and Azuoji villages in Azuoffia Nduegu Okpuitumo Community by unknown persons from Idoru villages of Obubra LGA in Cross River state.

The attackers destroyed property worth several millions of naira. In Kano state, the police rescued over three hundred people who were forcefully locked up in a rice-processing factory and made to work throughout the lockdown period in the state. These are troubling incidents that require further investigations by security agents, the report noted.

The report identified several gaps and recommended  that the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 pandemic should be expanded to include more women, religious leaders, youths, CSOs and persons living with disabilities to ensure effective representation of all sections of the society in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic.

Besides, it called on Federal and State governments to prioritize aggressive community sensitization and awareness campaigns on the reality of the pandemic and the need to adhere to the public health and safety advisory guidelines provided by the Federal Government and Nigerian Centre for Disease Control.

It noted that the National Orientation Agency must be seen to play a very strategic role in taking the appropriate message to local communities and grassroots on the effects of community transmission on the nation. 

Besides, it advised Nigerians to comply with all non-pharmaceutical guidelines provided by the Presidential Task Force and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to reduce the increasing spread of the virus as has been observed in recent weeks.

“There is need for continued re-evaluation of the strategies deployed by the Presidential Task Force and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control that would be inclusive of community leaders to enhance the strategies particularly now with the increasing community transmission and recorded infections.

“State governments should work with the organised private sector to provide mobile testing units to ensure that the majority of Nigerians have access to testing and emergency health care services”, the report noted and commended the leadership of both houses of the National Assembly on the consideration for a joint special session on Sexual and Gender-based Violence which is a step in the right direction to address the issue.

“We however enjoin the National Assembly to ensure that all recommendations to address the systemic challenges that impede access to justice and comprehensive support for victims, survivors and their families are considered.

“ The Federal and State Governments should prioritize improving public safety and security of the citizens always and in all places, especially regarding the ongoing security issues in the North West and North East respectively which requires adequate attention”, the comprehensive report by CLEEN Foundation noted.