Attachments
Highlights
- Nearly 8 million people in Nigeria, including 1.8 million women of reproductive age, need humanitarian assistance due to conflict and a range of challenges, including food insecurity, health issues, lack of education, and child protection concerns.
- The arrest and detention of minors in Nigeria for alleged involvement in protests raises serious concerns about their heightened risk of experiencing GBV while in custody.
- The high number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, particularly girls, increases their vulnerability to exploitation, abuse, and gender-based violence (GBV), especially in conflict zones.
Situation Overview
- Insecurity and Conflict: In November 2024, Nigeria experienced multiple security incidents, including a landmine explosion in Borno State that killed 7 people and the abduction of 50 people in Zamfara State. These events, alongside ongoing attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP and the emergence of a new terrorist group, "Lukarawas," heighten the risk of GBV and limit access to maternal healthcare for women and girls.
- Crime and Violence: The media reported on various criminal activities, including the recovery of unexploded ordnances and explosives in Borno, highlighting the ongoing threat of violence. The police have also recovered grenades and other explosives in Borno.
- Growing Food Insecurity in Northern Nigeria: In Northern Nigeria, a projected 33 million people, including 5.44 million children and 787,000 pregnant and lactating women, will face acute food insecurity by 2025. This crisis forces women and girls into harmful coping mechanisms, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation, abuse, and GBV.
- Child Protection Concerns: Media reports highlight the arrest and detention of minors in Nigeria for alleged involvement in protests, raising concerns about their increased risk of experiencing GBV while in custody. This situation can also damage trust in authorities, hindering children, especially girls, from reporting GBV incidents or seeking help.