More than 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 Focal Person at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, during a briefing in Minna, noting that the data was compiled from various NGOs and uploaded onto a central tracking dashboard linked to the National GBV Reporting Platform.

According to her, the ministry has intensified efforts to combat GBV through extensive sensitization campaigns and collaboration with security agencies.

“We have been carrying out sensitization programmes in markets, mechanic workshops, Emirate Councils, and schools to raise awareness about gender-based violence and to encourage victims to report cases to the appropriate authorities,” Isa stated.

Despite these efforts, Isa expressed concern that only a few perpetrators have been apprehended. She also highlighted a major obstacle: some parents prefer to resolve rape and abuse cases privately within the family rather than seeking justice through legal channels.

She added that the ministry has established a network of service providers across all 25 local government areas of the state to receive and respond to reports of abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional, and other forms of GBV.