The Nasarawa government says 852 cases of gender-based violence have been reported in the state from January to September 2025.

The commissioner for women affairs and humanitarian services, Hauwa Jugbo, disclosed this at a news conference in Lafia on Tuesday as part of events to commemorate the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against GBV.

The commissioner, therefore, said that in spite of efforts by the Gov. Abdullahi Sule-led administration in domesticating the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law and prosecution of perpetrators, GBV cases were still on the rise.

She explained that the government would continue to enforce stringent measures against perpetrators in line with the law, regardless of their relationship with the victims, to deter others.

Ms Jugbo, however, expressed worry over increasing cases of technology-facilitated GBV and urged women and other vulnerable groups to be wary of whom they engage with on digital platforms. She listed some of the technology-facilitated GBV to include cyber stalking and online harassment, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, online bullying and blackmail, digital impersonation and identity theft, among others. The commissioner said that the reputation of victims of GBV is destroyed, their mental health is weakened, and they face physical and emotional harm.

Ms Jugbo provided emergency lines to report cases of GBV to SARC for victims to get help. She said GBV survivors should call the 122 emergency line to report a case and the 08069388668 helpline of SARC.

Ms Jugbo added that the most worrisome thing was the feeling of entitlement and lack of empathy by the perpetrators because of the assumed rights they claimed they had over the survivors.

She therefore said that the state has zero tolerance for GBV and warned those in the habit to desist or face the full wrath of the law. She promised that the government would continue to prioritise the protection of the rights of the vulnerable to ensure that they achieve their full potential.

(NAN)