The Nasarawa State Government says 852 cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) were reported in the state between January and September 2025.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, Hauwa Jugbo, disclosed this on Tuesday at a news conference in Lafia as part of activities marking the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against GBV.
GBV refers to any act of violence directed at an individual based on gender. It is a widespread menace affecting people of all ages and backgrounds, manifesting in forms such as physical, sexual and psychological violence, including intimate partner abuse, trafficking and forced prostitution. It is recognized globally as a serious violation of human rights.
The 16 Days of Activism Against GBV is a United Nations international campaign that runs annually from Nov. 25—the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women—to Dec. 10, the International Human Rights Day. The campaign, which began in 1991, aims to unite and amplify calls for the elimination of violence against women and girls, drawing global attention to issues surrounding GBV.
The theme for the 2025 edition is “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”
Jugbo said that despite efforts by the administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule, including the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law and prosecution of offenders, GBV cases remain on the rise.
She noted that the government would continue to enforce stringent measures against perpetrators in line with the law, regardless of their relationship with victims, to serve as deterrence.
“We have strengthened the operations of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) to ensure timely and coordinated response for survivors,” she added.
The commissioner expressed concern over the increasing cases of technology-facilitated GBV and urged women and other vulnerable groups to be cautious when engaging on digital platforms.
She listed technology-facilitated forms of GBV to include cyberstalking, online harassment, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, online bullying and blackmail, digital impersonation and identity theft, among others.
Jugbo noted that GBV destroys victims’ reputations, weakens their mental health and exposes them to physical and emotional harm.
She provided emergency contact lines for reporting cases: the national 122 emergency line and the SARC helpline, 08069388668.
According to her, the most worrisome trend is the sense of entitlement and lack of empathy exhibited by perpetrators, who exploit assumed rights over their victims.
“Sadly, most cases are not reported to government agencies for appropriate action. This may lead to injuries, death, or leave survivors with long-term psychological trauma that affects their growth and development,” she said.
Jugbo reaffirmed the state’s zero tolerance for GBV and warned perpetrators to desist or face the full force of the law.
She assured that the government would continue to prioritise the protection of vulnerable groups to ensure they reach their full potential.
The commissioner appreciated partners, including journalists, for supporting ongoing efforts to address GBV in the state, stressing that government requires the collaboration of all stakeholders to eliminate the menace.
