By Zainab Faruk
The Bauchi State Action Committee on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) has presented its two-year progress report to the First Lady of Bauchi State, Her Excellency Ambassador Dr. Aisha Bala Mohammed, highlighting major achievements in prevention, protection, prosecution, and survivor support across the state.
The comprehensive report was delivered by the Secretary of the Committee, Hajiya Talatu Musa Gar, during a formal presentation at the Government House, Bauchi.
Established on July 17, 2020, by the First Lady, the Committee serves as the state’s coordinated response mechanism for preventing and addressing gender-based violence. It comprises 19 members drawn from ministries, security agencies, civil society groups, traditional and religious institutions, and rights-based organizations. The Committee has also been formally approved as a standing body under the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, with full material and administrative support from Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed.
Wide-Reaching Community Sensitisation Across 20 Local Governments
The Prevention Subcommittee, chaired by Barrister Yazid Suzan Lalang, reported massive progress in awareness creation and community engagement.
According to the report, the Committee successfully completed sensitisation visits to all 20 local government areas of the state, reaching more than 1,000 communities.
During each visit, representatives were drawn from every ward, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, health workers, police personnel, social welfare officers, women’s groups and youth associations. These representatives were trained on identifying, reporting and addressing GBV within their communities.
The Committee also established a statewide network of volunteers responsible for monitoring and reporting cases of violence at the grassroots level.
In addition, prevention activities were amplified through a weekly 30-minute radio programme on Bauchi Radio Corporation (BRC), and regular appearances on state television stations during the 16 Days of Activism and International Women’s Day.
Strengthened Partnerships with Key Institutions
The report highlighted several engagements with development partners including UNICEF, UNFPA, Women for Women, and the Rescue Initiative for Sustainable Development. Members of the Committee also participated in specialized trainings such as the Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies (GBViE) workshop held in Yola, Adamawa State.
To strengthen school safety, the Committee developed a plan for school-based interventions targeted at teachers in basic and upper-basic schools, focusing on early detection of abuse, counselling, and integrating GBV prevention into the curriculum. Advocacy visits were made to the Ministry of Education, SUBEB, AGILE, and private school associations to secure their support.
Similarly, the Committee engaged the Chief Medical Director of the Specialist Hospital Bauchi on the establishment of a temporary Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) within the ongoing hospital renovation project.
Over 234 Cases Prosecuted; 34 Convictions Secured
The Prosecution Subcommittee, led by former Director of Public Prosecution, Barrister Shawwatu Yusuf, revealed that the Committee handled 234 GBV cases within the period under review.
The breakdown includes:
109 cases of rape
53 cases of domestic violence
34 cases of abandonment of responsibility
19 cases of child abuse
19 family disputes
With the support of the Ministry of Justice, the Police Gender Unit, civil defence, human rights bodies and legal practitioners, the Committee secured 34 convictions, while several cases remain pending in various courts.
Notable cases include the rescue and prosecution of suspects involved in the abduction and trafficking of children from Bauchi to Anambra State in 2024 and 2025. These cases saw multiple suspects arraigned, with witnesses brought from different states.
The Committee also intervened in multiple high-profile cases of physical abuse, including children chained, burnt, tortured or assaulted by guardians, relatives or neighbours. Medical bills, surgeries and rehabilitation were fully covered by the Committee through the support of the First Lady.
Protection, Medical Support and Rehabilitation of Survivors
The Protection Subcommittee reported extensive support provided through the Sexual Assault Referral Programme (SARP), an initiative of the First Lady designed to ensure free and confidential medical, psychological and legal support for survivors.
Services offered include:
emergency medical treatment
evidence collection for legal action
psychosocial and trauma counselling
police reporting and legal documentation
follow-up rehabilitation
The report revealed disturbing cases of incest, severe child abuse and sexual assault, many of which required long-term medical intervention. The Committee paid hospital bills, provided sanitary and dignity kits, donated medical supplies, and ensured reintegration of survivors with their families.
One notable case involved a young girl who suffered repeated sexual assault from a close relative and underwent multiple surgeries funded by the Committee. Another case involved the rescue of a teenager who fled home and falsely claimed her parents were dead; she was eventually traced to her community and reunited with her family after a rigorous investigation by Committee members.
Survivors of domestic violence, forced marriage and violent neighbour disputes also received mediation and legal support, often resolved through out-of-court settlements facilitated by human rights institutions and the justice ministry.
Humanitarian and Financial Support to Vulnerable Women
The First Lady personally intervened in several humanitarian cases, including settling a debt of ₦1.87 million for a young woman whose business collapsed, preventing her from being imprisoned.
The Committee also supported a mother of triplets abandoned by her husband with food items, detergents and other relief supplies.
Commitment to Ending GBV in Bauchi State
Presenting the report, Hajiya Talatu Musa Gar praised the First Lady for her leadership, vision and unwavering support, which she said had transformed the state’s response to gender-based violence.
In her remarks, the First Lady expressed appreciation to all Committee members, reaffirming her commitment to creating a Bauchi State where women, children, and all vulnerable persons live free from violence, fear and discrimination.
She commended the milestone achievements and pledged continued collaboration with ministries, security agencies, community leaders, civil society and development partners to sustain the momentum.
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