Crime
Experts Explain Why Domestic Violence Victims Remain Trapped in Abusive Relationships
Despite rising awareness about domestic violence, many victims remain stuck in abusive relationships. Experts say a mix of fear, financial hardship, emotional control, and social pressure often traps victims, making it difficult for them to leave their abusers.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Speaking with The Punch, family therapists and gender rights advocates said leaving an abusive relationship is never as simple as it appears from the outside.
Fear and intimidation
Psychologist Dr. Chika Obasi explained that fear is the strongest weapon abusers use to control their victims. “Most victims stay because they are afraid of what will happen if they leave,” she said. “Many abusers threaten to harm their partner, their children, or even themselves if the victim tries to go.”
According to her, victims often believe these threats and feel it is safer to stay. “Statistics show that the most dangerous time for a domestic violence victim is when they attempt to leave,” she added.
Financial dependence
Experts also pointed to economic dependence as another key reason victims remain. Gender advocate Mrs. Funmi Adewale said financial control is a common form of abuse. “Many victims cannot leave because they don’t have access to money. Their partners might stop them from working or seize their income,” she said.
Adewale noted that without financial independence, victims struggle to rent a home, feed their children, or even pay transport to a safe location. “Some abusers go as far as putting debts in their partners’ names, leaving them financially trapped,” she added.
Emotional manipulation and self-blame
Therapists say emotional abuse can be just as powerful as physical violence. Over time, victims may lose confidence and begin to blame themselves for the abuse.
“Abusers often convince victims that they caused the violence or that nobody else will love them,” explained Lagos-based counselor Bisi Ajayi. “This emotional manipulation creates what we call ‘trauma bonding’ — a strong attachment that makes the victim feel they can’t live without the abuser.”
Ajayi added that this cycle of fear and affection keeps victims in constant confusion. “After every attack, the abuser apologizes, cries, or promises to change. Victims start hoping things will get better, even though the violence continues,” she said.
Social and cultural pressure
In many communities, victims also face pressure from family, religious groups, or society to stay married no matter what.
“Some women are told to be patient and pray harder,” said human rights lawyer Tola Olatunji. “Religious and cultural beliefs sometimes discourage separation, even when lives are at risk.”
Olatunji stressed that such attitudes make victims fear judgment or shame if they leave. “They worry about being called failures or being blamed for destroying the home,” she said.
Children and ongoing danger
Experts also noted that having children can make leaving more complicated. Victims may fear losing custody or believe staying will protect their children from trauma.
Even after separation, abuse can continue. Some abusers stalk or harass their former partners to maintain control. “Leaving does not always end the violence,” Olatunji said. “That’s why many victims prefer to endure quietly.”
Support systems needed
Experts say breaking this cycle requires strong social and legal support. They called for more safe houses, financial assistance, and counseling centers across Nigeria to help victims rebuild their lives.
“Society must stop blaming victims and start protecting them,” Adewale said. “Domestic violence is not a private matter — it’s a public health and human rights issue.”
They also urged government agencies and communities to provide confidential hotlines, free legal aid, and awareness campaigns to help victims seek help safely.
“Victims don’t stay because they want to,” Ajayi said. “They stay because they feel they have no choice. Our job is to make sure they do.”
The Niger State Police Command has arrested a woman identified as Mariya Abdullahi over the alleged poisoning of her co-wife’s two children.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The incident reportedly occurred on Friday, November 6, 2026, in Takuti community, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State.
The victims, aged four and nine, were said to have consumed a substance suspected to be poisonous from a cup allegedly given to them by Abdullahi.
One of the children reportedly died shortly after drinking the substance, while the other was rushed to a general hospital, where she is currently receiving treatment.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to Abiodun, the suspect allegedly confessed to the crime, claiming that a friend influenced her to poison the children because she could not have a child for her husband.
The police statement read: “On 6th November, 2026 at about 6am, a report was received in Lapai Div that one Mariya Abdullahi of Takuti via Lapai administered some substance suspected to be poison to the children of her co-wife.
“The Police operatives moved to the scene, discovered the two children who were 9 & 4yrs, were given the substance to drink, and as a result, they became unconscious.
“They were immediately rushed to a nearby clinic, but on arrival at the clinic, one of the victims gave up the ghost and the other was referred to the general hospital responding to the treatment.
“The suspect was arrested, undergoing further interrogation. She claimed that she was influenced by a friend to commit the act because she couldn’t bear a child for the husband.
“She will soon be transferred to SCID Minna for diligent prosecution.”
The command added that Abdullahi would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna for further investigation and prosecution.
Two men standing trial over the abduction of 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Imo State have admitted that they voluntarily made the written and recorded confessional statements presented by the Department of State Services (DSS).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The defendants, Usman Aliyu and Babangida Aliyu, who are the first and second accused persons, made the admission on Thursday during cross-examination at the resumed hearing of the case.
Both men confirmed that they willingly gave the audio-visual statements and thumbprinted the written confessions in the presence of their lawyers.
The DSS had tendered the statements as evidence, and the court admitted them during the proceedings.
Despite confirming the statements, the defendants appealed to the court for forgiveness and asked to be released. They had earlier made a similar plea while opening their defence and giving evidence on their own behalf.
The two men are facing charges bordering on conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms over the alleged abduction.
Meanwhile, proceedings also continued in a separate case involving two defendants accused of conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.
During the hearing, a prosecution witness identified the defendants as the individuals who allegedly abducted him for ransom in Imo State on October 4, 2026.
At the end of Thursday’s proceedings, Justice Emeka Orafu adjourned both cases until November 6 for further hearing.
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested six individuals on its most-wanted fraudsters list following operations conducted across four continents.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The suspects were apprehended over allegations involving various fraudulent activities, according to FBI Director Kash Patel, who announced the development in a post on X on Sunday.
Patel disclosed that the arrests, alongside other enforcement operations, contributed to the seizure of assets worth approximately $17 billion.
He praised the FBI’s international fugitive-tracking efforts and its ongoing campaign against global scam centres, known as Operation Blackout.
According to the FBI director, the six fugitives had collectively spent more than 4,000 days evading arrest.
Patel said the suspects had apparently believed that leaving the United States and going into hiding abroad would place them beyond the reach of American law enforcement authorities.
“They were wrong,” he wrote, stressing that the FBI and its international partners would continue pursuing individuals accused of defrauding Americans, regardless of where they attempted to hide.
In a separate update on Operation Blackout, Patel revealed that the broader campaign had resulted in the seizure of nearly $17 billion, the arrest of hundreds of suspected fraudsters and the rescue of thousands of trafficked workers.
The operation has also involved raids on suspected scam centres, the disruption of online infrastructure used to facilitate fraudulent activities and efforts to identify individuals trafficked into working for criminal networks.
Patel further disclosed that more than 10,000 Americans had received warnings before losing their money, helping to prevent estimated financial losses of about $670 million.
“We’re not just investigating these criminal enterprises.
“We’re dismantling their networks, disrupting their finances, rescuing victims, and holding those responsible accountable,” he said.
The FBI director described the scam centres as criminal enterprises that exploit vulnerable individuals while targeting Americans through international fraud schemes.
He maintained that the agency would continue its efforts to bring those responsible to justice.
“To every criminal organization targeting Americans: Justice will find you,” Patel added.
Full List Of The Six Arrested Suspects
According to the FBI, the individuals arrested are:
- Manjit Singh Bedi
- Elaine Agene Esco
- Khalid Ahmed Satary
- Herbert Leon Kimble
- Sahid Abdullahi Ereg
- Emylee Thai
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