By Our Correspondent

The United World Congress of Diplomats, UN-WCD, a global non-profit organisation with United Nations ECOSOC status, and IOED and diplomatic missions in 134 countries, has called on world leaders engaged in armed conflicts and all perpetrators of violence to lay down their weapons and embrace dialogue as the only path to lasting peace.

UN-WCD in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday by Kelechi Esogwa-Amadi, Media Assistant to the Head of Policy and Diplomatic Relations & Director, South-South/South-East Region, H.E. Amb. Dr. Larry-Goodwill Ajiola, also charged terrorists, bandits, herdsmen, gunmen, kidnappers and all perpetrators of violence in Nigeria and other parts of the world to stop inflicting mayhem and allow peace, harmony and tranquility to reign in the society.

The statement decried the rising wave of wars, terrorism and violent crimes, warning that hostilities were undermining global development and human dignity.

They urged terrorists, bandits, herdsmen, gunmen, kidnappers and other violent actors in Nigeria and across the world to cease hostilities and allow peace, harmony and tranquillity to prevail.

The Diplomats stressed that sustainable peace could only be achieved through diplomacy anchored on justice, equity and fairness, not through war, intimidation or brute force, urging warring leaders, terrorists to down weapons for peace

“Rather than promote lasting peace, friendship, trust and healthy relationship, under which UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are achieved, war deepens crisis, enmity, hate, bitterness, xenophobia, rancour, acrimony, suspicion and distrust, which all strain international relations and impede trade, thereby depressing the economy of nations, investment, growth and development,” the statement added.

Citing SDG 16 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, UN-WCD lamented that some world leaders have chosen war over diplomacy, plunging nations into incessant crises and socio-economic uncertainty.

The statement read: “It’s important to re-emphasize that the United Nations underscored the essence of Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions in the quest for socio-economic development around the world by including them as SDG 16.

“It is therefore unfortunate that rather than follow this path charted by the United Nations for global peace, harmony and socio-economic sustainability, some world leaders have decided to tread the path of war, which is hostile, inhumane, selfish and brutish, relegating diplomacy to the background and plunging their countries in particular and the world at large into incessant crises, tension and uncertainty.

“Thousands have died as a result of these inhumane hostilities: Mothers, fathers, youths, children, babies, the sick, the healthy, the elderly, soldiers, civilians. Enough of this carnage! Enough of this evil bully called WAR!! Enough of global geo-political tensions and socio-economic uncertainty!!!”

The group specifically called for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, US-Iran tensions, Israel-Palestine hostilities and tensions on the Korean Peninsula, urging a return to round-table diplomacy, which it said held the key to true peace and reconciliation.

“We can’t help but agree with the late former Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin, that peace and reconciliation are made with enemies and not with friends.”

The UN-WCD expressed its readiness to render mediatory support services if called upon, as part of its contribution to global peace, adding that its 25-member Nigerian delegation would be engaging US lawmakers soon as part of the group’s #EndWarNow global peace campaign.

BY UTHMAN BABA NASEER-,MINNA

A twenty five years old Bala Aliyu of Bosso town in Niger State was publicly administered twenty strokes of horse whip (KOBOKO), in the presence of his family in Bosso town on the order of a Minna Senior Magistrate Court.

Aliyu was earlier in the Month of June, found guilty and sentenced to 13 years in Correctional Centre in addition with the twenty stroke of the canes to be carried out in his community with a compensation of N250,000 to be paid to the victim

He was charged to the court through the office of the Director General of Niger State Child Right and Protection Agency (NSCRPA) Barrister Ummul-Kalthume Muhammed for prosecution and he was found guilty as charged.

The Director General who witnessed the flogging of the convict,described the sentencing and administering of whipping as a monumental step to send a signal that her agency does not compromise gender related cases for granted particularly child molestation and abuse.

She said the public enforcement was to send a strong warning to anyone who thinks they can abuse children and escape justice. She also called on communities to stop protecting or hiding people who commit such offences.

“ We in the Niger State Child Right And Protection Agency (NSCRPA), are prepared to go all out to take anyone involved in Gender Base Violence against Girl Child or any Domestic Violence against women or the vulnerable out of the community.

“We will not compromise in ensuring that such people face the heavy weight of the law. We will not allow such persons to move freely in our streets. The full wrath of Justice will be visited on the perpetrators of these crimes against our girl child.

“ This is a warning and a signal to any person or group that thinks that he can commit these heinous crimes and go away with that person should have a re-think that he is getting it wrong the law will surely go after him” the Director General warned.

According to Barrister Ummul Kathume Muhammed, the administering of the public punishment “ is not only about the convict. It also serves as a strong warning to any one who abuse or sexually molest girl child should expect the full consequences of the law”

She then appealed to members of the public to raise their voices by reporting suspected cases of child abuse,molestation and any gender based violences to her agency for prompt action rather than allowing the perpetrators to go scot free without allowing justice to take its cause against offenders.

The Prosecuting Counsel in the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State Aisha Ashafa Esq,described the judgment as an important development that could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled

According to her, the victim’s mother initially considered withdrawing the case, but later decided to allow the legal process to continue after understanding the importance of seeking justice for the child and holding the accused accountable.

The case has renewed calls for parents, traditional rulers and community members to take stronger action against child sexual abuse and report suspected cases to the appropriate authorities.

She stressed the need for the community to always report any forms of abuse against children in your community to Niger State child right agency or any police division in your community for necessary action.

Bala was said to have sexually abused his neighbor’s 10-year-old daughter and was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment,with 20 strokes of the cane, and ₦250,000 in compensation for the victim by a Minna Senior Magistrate Court number nine presided by Senior Magistrate Samira Jibrin Wambai.

While serving his jail term at the Minna Medium Correctional Centre Tunga, he was brought to the Palace of the District Head of Bosso where he was publicly administered the twenty stroke of the horse whip.

She said the public enforcement was intended to send a strong warning to anyone who thinks they can abuse children and escape justice warning communities to stop protecting or hiding people who commit such heinous crimes.

The Prosecuting State Counsel in the Ministry of Justice, Barrister Aisha Shafa, described the judgment as an important development that could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled.

She called members of the public to speak out by reporting suspected cases of child abuse instead of allowing offenders to escape justice.

In an interview with reporters,the District Head of Bosso, Malam Muazu Adamu Laka, said he had never witnessed this kind of judgment being publicly enforced in his community before.

He expressed satisfaction with the decision, saying the public enforcement would help community members understand the seriousness of child sexual abuse and discourage others from committing similar offences.

By David Owei

Newly deployed Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Saka Adewale has assumed duty in Bayelsà State, promising to fight against cultism, armed robbery, maritime crimes, illegal firearms, drug offences,crime and criminality in the state.

CP Ajao Saka Adewale takes over from AIG Iyamah Daniel Edebor who has been elevated to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG).

The Police Commissioner, in his maiden address to newsmen in his office,assured the people of Bayelsà State of his commitment to quality service delivery in protecting lives and property, maintaining law and order, and delivering professional, responsive policing.

He said despite the fact that the State is predominantly a riverine terrain and waterways which present unique security challenges, he will adopt strategies to tackle security threats such as cultism, armed robbery, maritime crimes, illegal firearms, drug offences, oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, and other organised criminality.

He noted that the perception index viz-a-viz the IGP policy direction of giving trust back to the community will provide us a guide in our operational strategy hence my immediate directive to my Officers and men to decisively tackle pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, illegal refining activities and other acts of economic sabotage.

CP Ajao Saka Adewale also outlined his strategy to be intelligence-driven, proactive, with robust community engagement, effective multi-agency collaboration with zero tolerance for crime and misconduct.

He said the mission of the State Police Command under his leadership will be to: enhance public safety, combat crime proactively, build trust and confidence as well as promote accountability and professionalism.

According to him, “the Police will strengthen intelligence gathering, crime mapping, targeted operations against cultists, kidnappers, armed robbers, pirates, and drug traffickers. We will also dismantle their leadership, funding, and logistics networks.”

“Given the State’s riverine nature, marine and waterways security will be prioritised through patrols, intelligence operations, and collaboration with the Armed Forces and maritime stakeholders.”

“We will also improve inter-agency and inter-state coordination to block criminal movement. Protection of oil and gas infrastructure will be strengthened through partnerships with relevant agencies, operators, and host communities.”

“The Command will enhance high-visibility policing, rapid response, and intelligence-based patrols in crime-prone areas. We will continuously adapt our strategies to emerging threats. Our focus is not only to respond to crime but to prevent and disrupt it before it occurs.”

He said the men and officers of the Bayelsà State Police Command will
approach security by strengthening
Intelligence gathering, crime mapping and analysis to identify crime hotspots, emerging threats and criminal networks, while sustaining targeted operations against cultists, armed robbers, pirates, drug traffickers and other violent criminals.

He also added that given the Bayelsa’s peculiar riverine geography, marine and waterways security will receive particular attention through,”

“Increased patrols and intelligence-led operations. The protection of critical national infrastructure, particularly oil and gas facilities, will receive renewed attention through stronger collaboration with relevant government agencies, operators and host communities to prevent vandalism, crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other acts capable of undermining the State’s economy and national security.”

The CP also advocated for inter agency collaboration, declaring that under his leadership, the police will strengthen operational coordination, intelligence sharing and joint responses with the Armed Forces, sister security agencies and other relevant stakeholders, in addressing criminal activities.

On the issue of community policing, CP Ajao Saka Adewale noted that effective policing cannot be achieved by the Police alone; security is a collective responsibility, “We shall deepen partnerships with traditional institutions, community leaders, youth and women groups, religious organisations, the private sector and the media.”