More than 1,000 incidents of rape and gender-based violence (GBV) have been documented in Niger State between January and July 2025, according to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
Mrs Mary Isa, Director of Planning and GBV Focal Person at the ministry, revealed in Minna that the figures were collated from several non-governmental organisations and uploaded to a central dashboard linked to the National GBV Monitoring Platform.
She explained that the ministry is addressing the issue through extensive public awareness drives and close cooperation with security agencies. “We’ve been conducting sensitisation campaigns in markets, mechanic workshops, Emirate Councils, and schools to educate the public about GBV and encourage victims to come forward and report to the proper authorities,” Isa said.
Despite these initiatives, Isa acknowledged that arrests remain few, with many cases undermined by families who choose to settle rape incidents privately rather than pursue legal action.
She added that the ministry has service providers stationed in all 25 local government areas of the state to handle and respond to reports of abuse, ranging from physical and sexual violence to emotional and psychological harm.