The Emir of Minna, Umar Faruq Bahago, has called on communities affected by banditry in Niger State to reintegrate survivors of gender-based violence, GBV, back into society to give them a sense of belonging.
The traditional ruler made the call at a one-day sensitization workshop organized by the Development Research and Projects Centre, DRPC in collaboration with the Federation of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria, FOMWAN, and supported by the Ford Foundation in Minna.
The Emir, represented by the Mubudin Minna, Abubakar Bosso Yakubu, noted that four local governments in his domain which include Paikoro, Shiroro, Munya, and Bosso have been severely affected by banditry, resulting in numerous cases of kidnapping and GBV.
The monarch also applauded the organizers and urged other donor agencies to continue to work with the state government to promote peace and security.
Earlier, the Executive Director of dRPC, Dr Judith Ann Walker, stressed the importance of adopting the Kinshasa declaration protocol to promote the rights of survivors and facilitate their reintegration.
She said the workshop was organized to promote the rights of survivors and facilitate their reintegration into their communities.
The Director General of Niger State Religious Affairs, Dr Umar Faruq and Imam Muhammad Sani Isah, in their comments, observed the need to preach against stigmatization and promote community acceptance of survivors.
The Chairman of Shiroro Local Council, Isiyaku Hakimi, praised the organizers and promised to provide unwavering support to survivors.
The workshop featured testimonies from survivors who recounted their horrific experiences during captivity and called for compensation to alleviate their suffering.
