News
AMAC Raises Alarm Over Rising GBV Cases In Abuja
The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has raised concern over rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging victims and witnesses to speak out and seek help.
The council also disclosed that it recently rescued a girl who was trafficked from Benue State to Abuja under the guise of employment and subsequently forced into prostitution.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja at the weekend, the Special Adviser on Women Affairs to the AMAC Chairman, Hon. Loveth Izekor, said GBV was not limited to rural communities, stressing that women and girls in the FCT were also exposed to various forms of abuse.
Izekor, who spoke on the theme, “Unite to Protect: Empowering AMAC Women Through Knowledge and Action,” said one of the major challenges in tackling GBV was that many victims did not recognise that they were being abused
She said societal expectations, stigma and fear of judgment had also discouraged victims from speaking out or seeking assistance.
“Most people don’t even know they have been abused. They don’t even know they are victims of such circumstances. They feel like, okay, it is right; what this person is doing to me, what my husband or whoever is doing to me, what this woman is doing to that child is right, is disciplining the child and all that,” she said.
According to her, the normalisation of abusive behaviour had made it difficult for some victims to identify harmful situations and seek intervention.
“There are so many barriers. Even society, I think, the shame of even coming out to speak or seek help,” she said.
Giving an insight into cases that had come to her attention since she assumed office about three months ago, Izekor said her office recently intervened in the case of a girl who was brought to Abuja from Benue State purportedly to secure employment.
“Getting here, she realised that it just was not work. Unfortunately for her, she was brought here for prostitution. And she fled from the place seeking help,” she said.
Izekor said the case highlighted the need for stronger community-level awareness and intervention to protect women and girls from trafficking and other forms of abuse.
“This is happening in FCT. A lot of these cases are happening,” she said.
She said some of the cases brought to her office had been critical, prompting the council to strengthen its efforts to protect women and girls and improve access to support services.
Izekor said AMAC’s 12 wards covered a wide range of communities beyond the city centre, making it necessary to take sensitisation programmes directly to residents at the grassroots.
She said: “Abuja Municipal Area Council is a very big area council. With communities in Karshi, Kuje, Bwari, Orozo, so many communities; it is not limited to the city centre alone.
“We have a lot of work to do. We have women, we have communities to understand more, to know their rights more, to understand more what gender-based violence is, so that we can stand united to address such matters.”
The council, she said, had also unveiled an emergency intervention helpline to enable residents to report cases, request urgent intervention and access appropriate security, legal, healthcare and other support services.
Izekor urged women to create safe spaces where victims could seek help without fear, while calling on residents who witnessed abuse to report such cases.
She said the campaign would involve traditional rulers, royal mothers, ward and community coordinators, councillors’ wives and women leaders, who would work with the council to take sensitisation and orientation programmes to communities.
“As women, we also need to come together and stand united against gender-based violence, and also educate our younger ones, the girl child, to know their rights as females, to know when to speak up, to know when to say no and all that,” she said.
The Special Adviser also called on traditional and religious leaders to use their influence to promote the dignity and protection of women and girls.
She said the council was still working to understand the scale of GBV in its communities, urging residents not to ignore cases of abuse or wait until they became critical before seeking help.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to conduct a thorough investigation into Monday’s crash of an ATR-42 aircraft near a naval base in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The President’s directive came as he mourned the 25 passengers and seven crew members involved in the crash, describing the incident as a painful loss to the Armed Forces and the nation.
The aircraft was reportedly on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, Tinubu said the investigation was necessary to establish the cause of the crash and prevent a recurrence.
“The Chief of Air Staff has briefed me, and I have directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences,” the President said.
Tinubu also commended the NAF for immediately activating search and rescue operations following the mishap, as well as first responders and the Ondo State Government for their swift response at the crash site.
“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation. Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” he said.
The President extended his condolences to the families of those involved in the crash, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims and for God to grant their families and the NAF the strength to bear the loss.
Tinubu also assured the Nigerian Air Force of the continued support of his administration as it carries out its responsibilities in securing the country.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed ownership of the aircraft which crashed on Monday in Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
Ehimen Ejodame, NAF Director of public relations and information, said the aircraft was on a “routine mission” when it crashed in the early hours of Monday.
In a statement, the air force spokesperson said a rescue operation is underway.
“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has activated an immediate Search and Rescue operation following an ATR-42 aircraft accident in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on 5 October 2026,” the statement reads.
“The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
“Search and Rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently ongoing.
“The NAF is committed to ensuring the success of the ongoing Search and Rescue efforts. Further details will be communicated in due course.”
The Ondo state police command had earlier confirmed the incident, but said details surrounding the crash were still emerging.
Residents had, however, informed that the crash occurred in a swampy terrain opposite a naval base.
International News
Portuguese Economy Minister: Ronaldo’s Value Is Greater Than Football, Many People Know Our Country Because Of Him
Portugal’s Economy Minister, Manuel Castro Almeida, says Cristiano Ronaldo matters to Portugal in ways that reach far beyond football. “Many people know Portugal only because of Cristiano Ronaldo,” he stressed.
His comments land as the fallout from Ronaldo’s sudden exit from the national team camp continues to dominate the headlines.
Speaking in remarks carried by the Portuguese website The Resident from the Now channel, the minister painted Ronaldo as a huge asset for Portugal’s image on the world stage. “Cristiano Ronaldo has an enormous impact in promoting and highlighting Portugal’s image,” he said. He went further still, likening the Portugal star to “the most famous company in Portugal”
On the row between Ronaldo and coach Jorge Jesus, Castro Almeida pleaded ignorance. He insisted he was “not an expert” and refused to judge who was in the right.
His focus stayed on Ronaldo’s wider worth to Portugal and its standing abroad.
That global recognition, the Economy Minister argues, makes Ronaldo “a value and an asset” to the country. “It would be good if Portugal could continue to rely on this asset,” he said.
He added: “From the angle of enhancing Portugal’s image and reputation, Cristiano holds extremely important value, and it would be very good for Portugal to continue to benefit from this potential.”
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