The Nation Newspaper

Tag: sex slaves

  • Army rescues Boko Haram sex slaves, labourers

    The Army said yesterday that it has rescued about 148 Boko Haram sex slaves and forced labourers in Modu Kimeri, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

    A statement by the Deputy Director Public Relations, Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the female hostages were sexually violated while the men and children were used for forced labour.

    He said the operation was done by troops of 21 Brigade with the support of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) as part of the counter insurgency operation

    The statement reads: “Troops of 21 Brigade, supported by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) deployed in Operation Lafiya Dole to conduct counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast have rescued 148 Boko Haram captives in Modu Kimeri, a remote village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “The troops rescued the hostages on June 3, during an extensive clearance operation to rid the general area of Bama, Modu Kimeri and Gulumba Gana of fleeing Boko Haram terrorists who had escaped from the ongoing troops’ onslaught in the Lake Chad Islands and fringes of the northern borders of Borno State.

    “During profiling and interrogation, the rescued hostages, comprising 15 men, 58 women and 75 children, said the women were used as sex slaves; there were two pregnant teenage girls among them.

    “The men were also engaged in forced labour. They will be promptly handed over to officials of Bama Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp for welfare and administration.

    “The troops also cleared adjoining villages including China, Sabon Gari-1, Sabon Gari-2, Sabon Gari-3 and Sabon Gari-4. Other areas cleared along the axis of operation are Nguzoduwa, Falla, Bulangala, Botori and Bula Matawa villages.

    “Additionally, 22 Dane Guns, one tool box used for fabricating local fire arms, four Boko Haram flags, a motorcycle, one bow and 20 arrows were recovered during the raid.”

  • Troops claim rescue of sex slaves from Boko Haram

    The Nigeria army has announced the rescue of some hostages from the hands of Boko Haram in Modu Kimeri village of Bama Local Government, Borno State.

    In a statement released by Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, Deputy Director Public Relations,  Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole  said the hostages totaling about 148 were been used as sex slaves and forced labourers by Boko Haram.

    Col. Onyeama explained that upon profiling, the troops discovered that the female members of the hostages were sexually violated while the men and children were used in forced labour.

    He stated that the operation was carried out by troops of 21 Brigade with the support of the Civilian Joint Task Force as part of the counter insurgency operation of the Theatre when the hauled on the civilians.

    Read Also:146 Boko Haram members surrender to troops in Borno

    The statement reads in full:

    “Troops of 21 Brigade supported by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force deployed in Operation Lafiya Dole to conduct Counter terrorism and Counter insurgency operations in the North East have rescued 148  civilians held hostage by Boko Haram terrorists in Modu Kimeri,  a remote village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno state.

    “The troops rescued the hostages during an extensive Clearance Operation on Sunday 3rd June 2018, to rid the general area of Bama, Modu Kimeri and Gulumba Gana of fleeing elements of Boko Haram terrorists who had escaped from the ongoing troops’ onslaught in the Lake Chad Islands and fringes of the northern borders of Borno State.

    “The rescued hostages, comprising 15 men, 58 Women and 75 Children revealed during a joint profiling and interrogations by troops of operation Lafiya Dole and other security agencies, that the Boko Haram terrorists had sexually violated the females and used them as sex slaves. Two pregnant teenage girls are among the rescued persons. The rescued persons further disclosed that the men were not spared, as they were regularly engaged in forced labour while in the captivity of the terrorists. They will be prompty handed over to officials of Bama Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp for welfare and administration.

    “The troops have also successfully cleared adjoining villages including China, Sabon Gari-1, Sabon Gari-2, Sabon Gari-3 and Sabon Gari-4 villages. Other areas cleared by troops along the axis of operation are Nguzoduwa, Falla, Bulangala, Botori and Bula Matawa villages.

    “Additionally, troops recovered 22 Dane Guns, one tool box used for fabricating local fire arms, four Boko Haram flags,  a motorcycle and one Bow and 20 Arrows.

    “The gallant troops remain resilient and are carrying out further exploitation” the statement said.

  • A spiritual coalition takes on violence against kids

    A spiritual coalition takes on violence against kids

    From child soldiers to sex slaves and forced labourers, minors have long suffered in the hands of unscrupulous individuals. That is why a group of churches has started a campaign in Gombe State to stop the violence, reports VINCENT OHONBAMU

    t is not a pretty picture. Children are manipulated or forced by some cold-hearted individuals to pick up guns and fight on the frontline. Some are bought. They spend a length of time satisfying the unwholesome sexual appetite of their buyers. Others are simply purchased to do hard work, and cannot say they are tired, hungry or want to go to school.

    This is violence against children or VAC. A coalition of churches under the aegis of Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) cannot endure it anymore.

    They are appealing to the government and virtually everyone else to help fight the vice and save children from those who manipulate and abuse them. CCN is calling on governments to scale up their priorities on children, rather than pay them lip service or push them to the background.

    The National President of CCN, Reverend Fubara Fubara-Manuel spoke in Gombe while presenting the council’s reasons for taking on violence against children in Nigeria.

    “We regret this as Christians and affirm, rather, that care for these children is no mere addition to our creeds, but an essential dimension to our being and calling as people of God,” said Fubara-Manuel who was represented by the state chairman of CCN, VenerableAmos Chijioke.

    He condemned extremists who in the name of religion use children for suicide missions, or as sex slaves, or force them into early  marriage, or sell them.

    Venerable Chijioke said the state campaign would be pioneered from Balanga and Kwami local government areas before moving up to other places.

    He said the world is full of shameless people who rape infants and children, adding that parents too are at fault for not making sufficient arrangements for the girl-child.

    Chijioke bemoaned policies that tend to give men a false sense of superiority over women and children, leading men to discriminate against women on the basis of gender. He said such mindsets are no longer tolerable.

    “It is in this context,” he said, “that we have come together as Christians to sensitise on the evil of VAC and do all in our power to end it.”

    The week-long activities which began with a press conference include, also featured an advocacy visit community leaders in Kwami Local Government Area, a workshop for church denominational leaders, rally in Gombe metropolis, workshop at Talasse in Balanga council and in Gelengu in Balanga local government. There was also a sermon in a church.

    CCN comprises 14 denominations of churches, seven of which in Gombe.

     

  • Boko Haram, sex slaves and counterinsurgency

    Boko Haram, sex slaves and counterinsurgency

    All those who ever secretly or openly supported Boko Haram either as a social, political, economic or sectarian revolt should feel deeply mortified by the sect’s atrocious and nihilistic transformations. The sect always had it in them, especially judging from the circumstances surrounding its founding and initial operations, to engage in very appalling and destructive anti-social behaviour. But it fooled many who were hoodwinked by its sectarian appeal, many who thought that in some quaint way it represented an uprising against political and economic corruption, many who were beguiled by its regional proclivities. Given its second major abduction of schoolgirls this year, it has become abundantly clear that the sect is irredeemably evil and that it represents the twisted and selfish interest of its demented and perverted founders and supporters.

    As I indicated in this place a few weeks back, I am not sure that Nigeria has learnt the appropriate lessons from the disturbance sufficient to end the uprising. Neither the federal government which was for a long time ambivalent in fighting the sect, nor the religious, social and political elites of the North which initially saw the sect as a puritanical and messianic tool for societal cleansing, nor the dispossessed who saw it as a fitting retribution against government at all levels for years of official tyranny , has had a new and deeper appreciation of the concepts of tolerance, justice, fairness and equity, and that these values actually transcend tribe, religion, class or political grouping.

    More practically, however, it beggars belief that the security agencies were not proactive in defending the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, nor was their defensive dragnet tight enough to forestall the abductions of over a 100 students from that school. The first major abduction of about 20 schoolgirls at Konduga in Borno State in February caught the government and its security agencies flatfooted, notwithstanding the declaration of a state of emergency in that state and two others. Not all the girls have been freed. And now this. Coming a day after the Nyanya, Abuja bombing in which more than 75 people lost their lives, the Chibok, Borno State abductions are bound to fuel a feeling of hopelessness and to underscore mounting lack of confidence in the ability of the government to perform its constitutional duty of protecting its people.

    Every Nigerian, especially parents, must be deeply distressed by the abductions and the implication for the safety and chastity of the abducted girls. It is truly heartrending. Indeed, every such abduction brings the country frightfully close to an implosion, as reports of parents determined to go into the bushes to liberate their daughters show. Dr Jonathan has called a security meeting, as he always does every time such horrendous crimes are committed. But does his government have a new plan to fight the sect? Does he himself inspire courage in the society and in those fighting the anarchists? Not only has the president inexplicably failed to visit the affected areas and show heartfelt empathy, even when he visited, all he did was talk down to the traumatised people of the emergency states.

    More and more, the Jonathan presidency looks absolutely befuddled, if not paralysed, in fighting the sect. But the president clearly does not have time on his side. Nor do we as a country. If we do not defeat the sect very soon, the sect will be the death of us, for the country is so dangerously close to the precipice and so inflammable that a small fire at any remote part can provoke a conflagration.

  • ‘Women are not sex slaves’

    Your parents are academics and you are a Law student. Why did you venture into fashion?

    My parents are passionate about education but fashion designing is my passion because I have always liked working with colours and fabrics even when I was not in school. I used to design clothes for my mum and siblings. I was inspired by the good things around me. Fabrics just fascinated me and I started carving things out of them.

    When did you start Molab Fashion outfit?

    Three years ago! It is basically an accessories company where we make fashionable belts, bow ties and jewelries. The very peculiar thing about our fashion outfit is that it is culture-inclined. Most of our fabrics are traditional materials, such as Aso Oke, damask, silk and the rest.

    Where did you learn fashion designing?

    Nobody taught me and I did not attend any school of fashion designing. I always designed clothes naturally, and then I developed myself through the internet and fashion shows.

    Where does the finance come from?

    I fund myself but my family has been supportive. In the next five years, I see my work redefining fashion in the country and outside; giving fashion a new outlook. I plan to empower women who may want to be fashion designers.

    How do you market your products in this part of Nigeria?

    As a student based in Ife, my concern primarily is my immediate environment. If not for the passion I have for fashion, I would not have been able to maintain the business till now. Economically, it has not been easy but I have discovered that my wares have been accepted within and outside here. People who know the value of culture patronise us.

    How do you manage your academics with your fashion outfit?

    It has been through the grace of the Lord, my family and people around me. I don’t work myself out because I have staff that I pay on contract basis. We have four departments and all of them report directly to me. It has not been easy at all; but I do cope. I don’t plan to drop out even after the Law School because I pay more attention to my academic pursuit. I would not let my business affect my education.

    What is your message for colleagues?

    I urge them to be confident in whatever they do. Success can only come their way when they do what is expected of them at the right time. I am not asking them to disobey their husbands but women are not sex slaves; we are partners in progress. Women must empower themselves to be complete mothers in the society.