A coalition of over 350 women groups has called for an immediate public apology from Peter Nwaebonyi, the senator representing Ebonyi North District in Ebonyi State, over his verbal attack on former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili.

The groups, in a statement issued on Thursday, also accused the Senate Committee members of failing to call Mr Nwebonyi to order after what they described as his “disrespectful and vulgar” language directed at Mrs Ezekwesili.

The coalition described his comments as a deliberate attempt to undermine women’s voices, saying his actions were “wholly unbecoming of a public official.”

“This conduct is an affront not just to Oby Ezekwesili but to every woman who advocates for fairness, justice, and equity,” the statement read.

The coalition includes organisations such as ActionAid Nigeria, Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, Bring Back Our Girls, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Women Environmental Programme (WEP), Stand to End Rape (STER), Media & Teens Network, Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), and Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC).

Back story

The controversy stems from a Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges hearing held on 25 March where Mr Nwebonyi directed harsh and dismissive remarks toward Mrs Ezekwesili.

The hearing was convened to address a petition by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central against Nedanwen Imasuen of Edo South, seeking his disbarment from the Nigerian Bar over allegations of professional misconduct.

During the session, which focused on governance and justice-related petitions, Nwebonyi reportedly belittled the coalition’s efforts, dismissing them as “unserious” and a “waste of time.”

He further mocked the petitioners, stating he was “ready to be a witness for the Senate President.”

The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from over 350 women’s groups, who view the senator’s behavior as indicative of a broader culture of marginalisation and disrespect toward women in public spaces.

This incident has also reignited discussions about the treatment of women in Nigerian politics and governance, with calls for accountability and cultural change.

Disappointments

The coalition also expressed disappointment in the senate committee for failing to reprimand Senator Nwebonyi during the proceedings, saying their inaction amounted to complicity.

The group said the committee’s failure to intervene shows a disregard for women in politics.

“The failure of the committee to intervene condoned the disgraceful behavior and perpetuated a culture of disregard for women in political spaces,” the coalition stated.

The coalition praised Mrs Ezekwesili, addressing her as a “national leader and global treasure” whose contributions to governance and women’s empowerment are widely recognised.

“As a former minister and Chairperson of Women Political Leaders (WPL), Oby Ezekwesili has consistently championed justice and the inclusion of women in leadership. Any attempt to demean her is an attack on the dignity of Nigerian women,” the statement added.

The groups emphasised that women would not accept any further disrespect directed at Mrs Ezekwesili or any other woman advocating for justice.

Systemic marginalisation

The coalition noted that the incident highlights the systemic marginalisation faced by women in Nigeria’s political space.
They noted that his behavior translates to gender-based violence.

“Senator Nwebonyi’s behavior is reflective of the abuse of power rooted in gender-based violence. It seeks to intimidate and silence women who challenge the status quo, undermining the principles of dignity and equality,” the statement added.

The women’s groups vowed to hold the Senate accountable for the incident, insisting that it must not be swept under the carpet.

The full statement reads:

Coalition of Over 350 Women Groups Demands Public Apologies from Senate Committee on Ethics Members and Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi Following Nwebonyi’s Disrespectful Outburst Toward Oby Ezekwesili, a National Leader and Global Treasure.

The Coalition of over 350 women groups strongly condemns the recent disgraceful conduct exhibited by Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi during the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges hearing held on March 25th March, 2025. His use of highly insulting and vulgar language towards Oby Ezekwesili, a respected leader and an invaluable asset to this nation, is completely unacceptable and must not go unaddressed.

This hearing, which was meant to deliberate on critical issues related to justice and governance, descended into a spectacle of disrespect and arrogance, as Senator Nwebonyi shamefully targeted Dr Oby Ezekwesili. Instead of maintaining the dignity and seriousness that the Senate hearing demanded, Senator Nwebonyi opted to derail the proceedings, mocking the petitioners and disregarding the importance of the matters at hand. He not only interrupted the process but dismissed our efforts as “unserious” and a “waste of time,” adding that he was “ready to be a witness for the Senate President since we were not serious.” Such condescending and dismissive rhetoric is an open attempt to silence the voices of women advocating for justice. This conduct is wholly unbecoming of a public official.

We, as a coalition, demand an immediate and unequivocal apology from Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi for his actions, and we call upon the Senate Committee members present to take responsibility for failing to call him to order during the hearing. The failure of the committee to intervene not only condoned this egregious behavior but also perpetuated a culture of disregard for women’s voices in the political space. This cannot and will not be tolerated.

Senator Nwebonyi’s actions were not simply a difference of opinion; they were an intentional and calculated attempt to undermine the credibility of women speaking out in pursuit of justice. This is an example of the abuse of power, rooted in gender-based violence, that seeks to intimidate and silence women who dare to challenge the status quo. It is a stark reminder of how women continue to be marginalized in political and public discourse. Senator Nwebonyi’s behavior reflects an alarming disregard for the values of fairness, dignity, and respect.

Oby Ezekwesili is the Former Minister of Education and currently the Chairperson of Women Political Leaders (WPL), who always stood firm in defending the right of women to be heard and respected in all spaces, particularly in politics. We will not allow this assault on our dignity to stand. Senator Nwebonyi’s actions were an affront not only to Oby Ezekwesili but to every woman who believes in fairness, equality, and justice. Women across the country are watching, and we will not accept this disrespect.

We demand that the Senate Committee members take immediate action to hold Senator Nwebonyi accountable for his disgraceful behavior. We expect them to issue a public apology, not only to Oby Ezekwesili but also to the women of Nigeria whose voices are systematically belittled and ignored in political spaces.

Let it be clear that we, the women of this nation, will not allow any further disrespect to go unchecked. We will continue to demand justice, equality, and accountability in every forum. We will continue to fight for the dignity and respect of all women, and we will not rest until Senator Nwebonyi and the Senate Committee are held fully accountable for their actions.

This fight is far from over, and we stand united in our pursuit of justice for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and for all women who have been silenced, marginalized, and disrespected in political spaces. Our resolve is stronger than ever: “This Injustice Shall Not Be Sustained”—and we add, “NEVER.”

100 Women Lobby Group (100WLG)
9jafeminista
Action Aid Nigeria
ACTS Generation GBV
Ade Grange Child Foundation
ADEM Community Human Development Foundation
Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF)
Advocate for Health and Development Initiative
Affirmative Action Initiative for Women (NCAA)
African Women’s Initiative/ Verity CNET
African Women’s Initiative (AWI)
Ajegunle Community Project
Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation
Alliances for Africa
Amaclare Connect and Development Initiative
Amazing Grace Inspirations
Aminchi Women Cooperative Society
Amuwo odofin local government
ARDA Development Communication Inc.
Arise Nigerian Woman Foundation.
Association Against Women Exploitation and Degradation (AAWED)
Association of Nigeria Women’s Business Network (ANWBN)
Association of Women in Trade and Agriculture (AWITA)
ATATA Development and Empowerment Foundation (ADEF)
AYO Fadugba KYF Foundation
Baobab for Women’s Human Rights
BLECCA Foundation
Bring Back Our Girls
Briskila Emefesi Women Foundation (BEWOF)
Brooklyn College, City University of New York, USA
Cece Yara Foundation
Cedar Seed Foundation
CEE-HOPE Nigeria
Center for Economic Empowerment and Gender Activities (CEEGA)
Center for Transparency Advocacy
Center for Women’s Health and Information
Centre for Alternative Development and Self-Enhancement (CEADESE NG)
Centre for Health and Development in Africa (CHEDA)
Centre for Media and Development Communications
Centre for Nonviolence and Gender Advocacy in Nigeria (CENGAIN)
Centre for Peace Education and Community Development
Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN)
Change Managers International Network
Charity Women Spring of Salvation
Chedal Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society
Child Care and Adult Protection Initiative(CCAPI)
Choung-Dung Women Association.
Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS)
Christian Women in Nigerian Politics
Citizens Center for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR)
Citizenship and Human Development Initiative
Civil Resource Development and Documentation Center (CIRDDOC)
Community and Youth Development
Community Education Advancement of Peace and Development Initiative (CEAPDI)
Community Initiative for Healthy and Peaceful Society
Community Life Project (CLP)
Community Partners for Development (CPD)
Community Rescue Initiative (CRI)
Community Women Initiatives (CWI)
Country Associates Network
Country Associates Network (CAN)
Courageous People Health and Development Initiative (CPHDL)
Crestville Development Foundation
Champion Women Entrepreneurs Mentoring Association (CWEMA)
Daria Media Foundation (DMF)
Development in Practice Gender and Entrepreneurial Initiative (DIPGEI)
Digi Civic Initiative
Dinidari Foundation
Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF)
Dr. Oby Ezekwesili
Dream Alive Women and Orphans Support Foundation (DAWOS Foundation)
Echoes of Women in Africa Initiatives
Edo Women’s Development Initiative
Education As a Vaccine (EVA)
Emerge Women Development Initiative (EWDI)
Empowerment and Action
Enough is Enough (EIE)
Equality Through Education Foundation (ETEF)
Equity Advocates and The Woman Today Newspater TWT
FACICP Disability Plus
Federation of Informal Workers of Nigeria (FIWON)
Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN)
Federation of Paralegal Network (FEDPAN)
Fembridge Development Initiative (FEDI)
First Future Leadership
First Future leadership Company/Gte
Ford Foundation
Former Women Action Organization (WAO)
Forum of Women in Politics (FONWIP)
Forward in Action for Education, Poverty and Malnutrition (FACE-PAM)
Foundation for Justice Development and Peace (FJDP)
Gender Action Awareness Trust
Gender and Community Empowerment Initiative
Gender and Constitution Reform Network (GECORN)
Gender and Development Action (GADA)
Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative (GERI)
Gender Awareness Trust (GAT)
Gender Development Initiative
Gender Equality Center
Gender Equality, Peace and Development Centre
Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI)
Gender Technical Unit (GTU)
Genger Equality, Peace and Development Centre
Gender Relevance initiative Promotion (GRIP)
Girl Child Advocacy and Education Initiatives
Girl Child Africa
Girl Child Education, Care & Rehabilitation
Girl Education Rehabilitation and Care (GERAC)
Girls Power Initiative (GPI)
Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC)
Green Spring Development Initiative
Habiba Dangana (Hadis) Foundation
Heal Disability Initiative
Health Education and Human Rights Advocacy Initiative
Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria(HERFON)
HEIR Women Development
Help Initiative for Social Justice & Humanitarian Development
Help Initiative for Social Justice & Humanitarian Development
Hope for New Life (HNL)
Independent consultant
Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD)
Inter Africa Committee (IAC)
Inter Gender Peace Foundation (IGPF)
International Action Network on Small Arms Women Network (IANSA)
International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)
International Hairstylists, Barber and Body Therapists (IHSTOBAN)
International Women Communication Centre (IWCC)
Iyaniwura Children Care Foundation (ICCF)
Jamatul Nasir Islam, Women Wing
Jana Health Foundation (JHF)
Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
Julie Oyegun
Justice Development and Peace Mission (JDPM)
Kebetkache Women Development And Resources Centre
Kilimanjaro Youth Foundation (KYF)
KMashi Gamji Women
Koyenum Immalah Foundation
Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND)
Kungiyar Tallafin Mata Development Initiative (KTMDI)
League of Queens International Empowerment (LQIE)
League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV)
LEDAP
Legislative Advocacy Coalition on Violence Against Women Initiative (LACVAW)
Lift Initiative
Mary Afansmallscale women farmers organization on Nigeria (SWOFON)
MBULA Women Association
Media & Teens Network
Media Concern Initiative
Media Concern Initiative for Women and Children
MODAC
More Women in Politics
Mothers United and Mobilised (MUMs)
My Voice My Future NGO
Nasrul – Lahi-L- Faith Society (NASFAT)
National Centre for Women Development
National Council of Women Societies (NCWS)
NAWE
NAWORG
NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women
Neighbourhood Care-Well Foundation
Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria
Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria, NRHJN
NEWA
Next Initiative for Gender Actions (NIGA)
NGAS Women Farmers’ Cooperative Society
Nigeria Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ)
Nigeria For Women Project
Nigeria Labour Congress, Women Committee
Nigerian Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ)
Nigerian Express
Nigerian Women Politics Forum
Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NTWF)
Nkata Ndi Inyom Igbo (NNII)
None for now
Ogayem Merciful Care and Support Initiatives (OMCSI)S
Ogun Women Alive
Okwuzi Women Forum
Olive Community Development Initiatives
Onomese Foundation
Open Arms Initiative for Sustainable Development (OPAISD)
Osi Joe Touching Lives Initiative
Ovie Brume Foundation
OvieBrumeFoundation
Partners West Africa Nigeria
Peasant Dragnet
Princess Olufemi-Kayode
Proactive Gender Initiative (PGI)
Purple Hibiscus Foundation
Quinnipiac University
Ray of Hope Community Foundation
Relief Development Initiative Kaduna
Research Centre (EARC)
Responsible Citizenship and Human Development Initiative
Safe Space Initiative
Save a Child Lend a Hand Foundation
Sesor Empowerment Foundation
She for she Africa Initiative
She Forum Africa
She Mentors Initiative
Shout Global Health
Small-scale Women Farmers Organization of Nigeria (SWOFON)
South- South Professional Women Association.
Stand to End Rape (STER)
Stephanie Peace Building Development Foundation
Support For Needy Children and Women Initiative (SUNCHI)
Taraba State University
TechHerNG
The Guardian Newspapers, Nigeria
The Inclusion Project (TIP)
The Kilimanjaro
The Priceless Jewels
The Purple Foundation
THR Media
Tonia Bruised but Not Broken Foundation
Transformation and Development Center (TDC)
Transition Monitoring Group
Tunde & Friends Foundation (TAFF)
UC Women Commission
UTO Foundation
Vision Spring Initiatives (VSI)
Voice of Ogun Women (VOW)
WEPDN
West African Network for Peace
WEWENETWORK AFRIQUE
Widows Development Organization (WIDO)
WISCAR
Woman-Being Concern Nigeria (WBC)
Women &Youth Awareness Empowerment Network (WOYAEN)
Women Advocacy, HIV Prevention and Other Diseases (WAHPOD)
Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC)
Women Aid Collective (WACOL)
Women and Youth Empowerment for Advancement and Health Initiative
Women AT Risk International Foundation(WARIF)
Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON)
Women Democracy Network Africa – Nigeria
Women education advocacy and development Initiatives (WEADI)
Women Empowerment and Initiative Development
Women Empowerment and Reproductive Health Centre (WERHC)
Women Empowerment Education and Peace Building Initiative (WEPBI)
Women Environmental Programme (WEP)
Women Farmers Alliance (WFA)
Women for Peace and Gender Equality Initiative (WOPEGEE)
Women for Women International
Women Foundation Initiative (WFI)
Women Foundation of Nigeria (WFN)
Women in Action for Positive Development and Gender Enhancement Center (WAPDAGEC) Women Action Organization (WAO)
Women in Africa Initiative (WIAI)
Women in Agriculture (WIA)
Women in Extractives
Women in Extractives Women in Management Buisness and Public Service (WIMBIZ)
Women in Mining (WIM)
Women in Mining initiative Nigeria
Women Information Network (WINET)
Women Initiative for Democracy and Empowerment (WIDE)
Women Initiative on Climate change
Women Law and Development Initiative (WOLDI)
Women Law Development Center of Nigeria (WLDCN)
Women Lead Agric (WLA)
Women League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
Women of Vision Development Initiative
Women Optimum Development Foundation-WODEF
Women Protection Organization (WOPO)
Women Right to Education Programme (WREP)
Women Wing of The Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN)
Women Youth and Children Upliftment Foundation (WYCUT)
Women, Infants and Children Care Initiative (WICCI)
Women, Youths and Children Advancement Program
Women’s Optimum Development Foundation-WODEF
Women’s Crisis Centre Owerri
Women’s Leadership Group (WLG)
Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA)
Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP)
Women Preneurs (AWEBO)
Womens Crisis Centre Owerri
Working Moms Africa (WMA)
Yiaga Africa
Yeye Adenike Agnes Shobajo Women’s Group Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Youth Future Savers Initiative (YFSI)
Zonta International Club of Lagos 1

Amnesty International has called for justice over the death of the co-founder of a tech startup firm, Bumpa, Adetunji Opayele, alias Teejay.

Mr Opayele, 31, was involved in an accident on March 4, 2025, while riding his power bike on his way from the gym along Ozumba Mbadiwe in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The driver, Biola Adams-Odutayo, reportedly failed to yield the right of way while merging onto the expressway, striking Teejay and leaving him unconscious on the road.

Adams-Odutayo, said to be a healthcare professional, was alleged to have refused to help the injured because she did not want blood stains in her car.

Opayele was reportedly taken to a hospital, but medical personnel there refused to attend to him.

He was eventually admitted to another hospital, where he was declared dead after midnight.

Reports say Adams-Odutayo was arrested and charged with reckless driving but was released on bail.

Reacting to the matter in an X post on Saturday, Amnesty International said: “Biola Adams-Odutayo’s reckless and lawless driving killed Adetunji Opayele (TeeJay), the Co-founder and Chief Technical Officer of Bumpa. Nigeria’s corrupt law enforcement is letting her get away with murder.

“This crime must not be covered up. Relevant Nigerian authorities must ensure that justice is done now.”

The incident has since sparked widespread anger, with over 35,000 Nigerians signing a petition on Change.org, demanding justice.

Petitioners have also demanded that the Lagos State Ministry of Justice oversee a thorough investigation and ensure proper prosecution.

US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, has triggered controversy after asking a British reporter from Sky News, “Why don’t you go back to your country?”

The confrontation started when the journalist attempted to ask questions about the Signal group chat that leaked military plans to strike Houthi targets.

As the reporter asked her the question, Greene became visibly frustrated and responded, “We don’t give a crap about your opinion and your reporting. Why don’t you go back to your country?”

She pointed at the journalist, who identified herself as being from the United Kingdom and questioned the reporter’s interest in the US and its national security. “You should care about your own borders. Let me tell you something, do you care about people from your country?” Greene asked the reporter.

The Georgia representative then made an unsettling comment, saying, “What about all the women that are raped by migrants, do you care?”

It is not the first time Greene had made such comments. In 2022, she directed similar remarks towards British journalist Siobhan Kennedy from Channel 4. However, this confrontation with the Sky News reporter drew significant attention, especially as C-SPAN cameras captured the exchange.

To shift focus from the debate, Greene called an American journalist who attempted to turn the discussion back to the British reporter’s question.

“I’m not answering her question because I don’t care about her network,” Greene said, refusing to answer on the Signal chat.

Instead, she shifted the focus to US military security and Trump’s approach to border control.

“You want to know about complete disregard for operational security? You should talk about the Biden administration how they ripped our borders open to terrorists, cartels, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, and drug trafficking across our borders for four years,” Greene said.

Two parents have accused a private school in the Arepo area of Ogun State of carrying out unauthorised incisions on their children’s bodies.

The parents told PUNCH Metro on Tuesday that the incision resulted in health complications in their children.

One of the affected parents, Abosede, the mother of a four-year-old young boy identified simply as Alamis, said she discovered the incision on her son’s stomach on March 2.

She claimed to have initially noticed the mark after Alamis complained of persistent itching on the side of his stomach.

Abosede explained that three weeks after discovering the mark, her son fell ill and had to be taken to the hospital, where doctors confirmed that the incision had caused an infection.

She said, “On March 2, my son started to complain that a side of his stomach was etching him. When I checked, I saw an incision on his body. When I asked what happened, he said he did not know who did it. When I saw the incision, it looked like he was sleeping when they did it because the marks were not straight.

“He talks a lot, so if he was conscious, he would tell me who did it. The third week after I saw it, he fell sick, and I took him to the pharmacy and from there took him to the hospital where they said the incision caused the infection. They later prescribed some drugs which he used and was later getting better.”

Her concerns, however, grew when another parent, whose daughter attends the same school, reported a similar mark on her child’s body.

“The following day, I took him to my shop to monitor him. While I was in the shop, another parent who had enrolled her daughter in the school came and told me she had found a similar incision on her daughter’s body. I am a Muslim, and my son attends only Arabic and home lessons. The woman is a Christian, so the only connection between her daughter and her son is the school.”

Speaking on a similar discovery, Oluwatoyin Adurogboye said she noticed some changes in her three-year-old daughter, Karla, when she returned from school on February 28, adding that she thereafter fell sick.

According to her, Karla had just recovered from malaria and an infection a week earlier. When her condition worsened, they rushed her to the hospital, where she was placed on oxygen due to breathing difficulties.

She said, “I went to pick her up from school on February 28, and anytime I do that, we are always gistin,g but that very day, she got in the car and slept off. She slept for six to seven hours that day. When we got home that day, I pulled her uniform, and I saw a scratch on her spin, but I thought it was just a scratch. So I left her with my sister and nephew and went to my store. While I was in the store, my sister called me three different times, saying that she was still sleeping and also running a temperature. Meanwhile, she was treated for malaria and infection a week before then.

“When I got home, she still had a high temperature. Even when she woke up, she was not active. The following morning, she started coughing and vomiting. We later took her to the hospital and ran a test, but the doctor said there was no malaria or infection in her body.

We later took her home, but the situation got worse, and we went back to the hospital, and she was admitted and placed on oxygen after the doctor discovered she had shortness of breath.”

She however, disclosed that while in the hospital, she noticed the mark again, and when she asked her about it, she tried to say something but could only mutter ‘my teacher’ five times before stopping.

She said, “While in the hospital, I saw the mark again, and when I asked her, she said my teacher five times and couldn’t talk again. It was when we got home and I asked her again that she said it was her aunt that put pepper on her back in the school bathroom.

“I called my husband and sent the picture to him. I also showed it to my sister, and they all confirmed it was an incision. I did not put an incision on my child’s body, and it was when I got to Mrs Abosede she confirmed it on her son’s body too.”

The two mothers thereafter took their complaints to the school, but they claimed the proprietress denied any wrongdoing.

According to Karla’s mother, the proprietress told them to consider other places where their children might have got the marks, insisting that it did not happen in the school.

She added that when she requested to review the CCTV footage, the proprietress informed them that the cameras had not been functioning for several days.

“We also requested that she call her workers so that my daughter could identify the person, but she declined. We went to the station the following day, and they invited her, and she said again that she had checked the footage and that she could not find anything. When we asked her to play the footage, she only played it from the hours of 10 am to 12:15 pm. When asked what happened between 12pm and 2pm, she said there was no light, and my husband immediately told her that the school has an inverter. Then, she said again that the inverter was not working that day.”

While Abosede’s family dragged the school to court, Karla’s parents called on the authorities to investigate the development while also insisting on seeing the remaining part of the CCTV.

The proprietress did not respond to calls made to her phone. However, she sent a text message, stating she would return the call. She had yet to do so as of the time this report was filed.

The Federal Government on Friday said further investigations into the shooting of a personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS around a Chinese company in Niger State, have shown that the officer was not targeted.

Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Minister of Interior, Babatunde Alao in an updated statement, said “the officer was hit by a stray bullet that was neither shot on the order of the Chinese company nor its employee”.

Accordingly, he said the Federal Government has launched full scale investigation into the shooting of the personnel in collaboration with other security agencies.

“This is to unravel the detailed circumstances surrounding the shooting while giving assurance that anyone found culpable will be brought to book.

“The Minister reaffirms his strong commitment to ensuring the safety, dignity, and professional integrity of all law enforcement officers.

“He emphasizes the government’s ongoing support for law-abiding businesses in Nigeria and reiterates the Ministry of Interior’s dedication to fostering strong partnerships with foreign nationals, aiming to build sustainable collaboration for social economic development”, the statement added.

Nigerian soldiers deployed in Operation Fansan Yamma, North West, have expressed frustration over the military’s failure to rotate them, citing a lack of funds.

The troops, who were initially assigned a six-month deployment, have now spent two years and six months on the frontlines without being allowed to return home, SaharaReporters can report.

Despite being overdue for redeployment, the soldiers say they are repeatedly told there are no funds to facilitate their return. Many of them have not seen their families in years, leading to exhaustion and demoralisation.

“About the ill-treatment, we are facing here in Operation Fansan Yamma North West. And the most important thing is that we are due for rotation from the operation but up till now, they keep telling us no funds to change us back and see our family,” one of the affected soldiers lamented.

“For two years and six months, we have been in this operation. Initially, we came to the operation to spend six months. On reaching the operation ground, the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, turned it into two years but now we are overdue without any hope of being rotated.”

Operation Fansan Yamma, North West comprises Katsina and Zamfara states.

The soldiers who spoke to SaharaReporters described their prolonged stay as unbearable, saying their families are desperate to reunite with them.

“That is what always makes us demoralised and exhausted for over two years in one place. Our families are eager to see us; they refuse to rotate us,” a soldier said.

They also accused the military of double standards, pointing out that troops sent to Maiduguri, Borno state after them had already been replaced.

“Meanwhile there are soldiers who went to Maiduguri after we had gone to the operation for almost three months. They have changed them but they are not saying anything about our matter.”

The troops also admitted that their morale had collapsed after years without proper rest or support.

“Our fighting spirits have died, we are just fighting to survive,” a soldier stated.

They criticised the military’s failure to honour leave policies, noting that while they are entitled to a two-week pass every three months, they have waited for two years and six months without being granted.

“The pass is supposed to be after 90 days that’s informed of leave in a civil organisation. After every three months, we are entitled to two weeks pass, that’s 14 days. But we have spent two years and six months,” the soldier added.

The soldiers are now pleading with authorities to address their plight, urging them to provide the necessary funds to rotate them after two years and six months in the operation.

Credit SaharaReporters