NGO decries increasing rate of abuse on women in Nigeria
An NGO), WomenAid Collective (WACOL) has lamented the high rate of human rights abuse against women in Nigeria.
Proffessor Ngozi Ezeilo, SAN, Executive Director/Founder of WACOL, stated this while briefing newsmen about the activities of the organisation in 2024 and other sundry issues in Enugu.
She decried the fact that the society has degenerated to the level that life no longer mean anything to many Nigerians.
Ezeilo also expressed dissatisfaction with the manna the Nigeria Police conduct their duties in the face of imminent collapse of the social order.
“As an organisation that is involved in fighting these social ills, sometimes we get frustrated in the way the Nigeria Police handle most of these cases.
“You take a case to the police and they will ask you to provide money for everything as if they are not being funded at all, ” she said.
She disclosed that in 2024 the legal unit of the organisation handled a total of 823 cases of human rights abuse against women from January to December.
According to her, out of the more than 800 cases, physical, emotional abuse/assaults accounted for 321 while denial of inheritance and related matters were 101 cases among others.
Speaking on a current case of alleged gruesome murder of a four- year-old child, Miss Zana Ugwu in Nsukka, Enugu State, involving,
one Chukwuemeka Nweke, Ezeilo called for justice.
She said: “I am calling on the Nigeria Police and the Nigerian Judiciary to ensure total justice for this poor child and her family.
“The family of this slain child has suffered untold hardship since their daughter was killed in cold blood and therefore, deserve nothing but justice.
Ezeilo further commented on the case of Miss Blessing Igwe, who was allegedly raped and impregnated while receiving treatment in the Psychiatric hospital Enugu, and was later declared missing.
She said the incident was not only wicked but a testimony that Nigeria was losing its bearing on international human rights index.
“How can such a thing happen in a Federal Government institution. It is time for us as a people to search our conscience and find out what is wrong,” she said.
Ezeilo, who is a social crusader said WACOL was doing its best but limited funds has hampered much of their activities.
She called on government at all levels to live up to their expectations by protecting the fundamental rights of citizens.
The WACOL founder also reiterated her full support for the creation of State Police as a panacea to addressing this problem.