latest
National Uproar As Ochanya’s Death Sparks Fresh Calls To End Child Abuse And Gender Violence In Nigeria.
Nigerians have revived the #JusticeForOchanya movement seven years after the tragic death of 13-year-old Elizabeth Ochanya Ogbanje, who died from complications reportedly linked to years of sexual abuse.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, renewed calls for justice have flooded social media, with activists and concerned citizens urging authorities to reopen the case and ensure that those responsible face prosecution.
Ochanya, a native of Benue State, had relocated to Makurdi in 2013 to live with her aunt while pursuing her education and nurturing dreams of becoming a doctor. However, reports indicated that she was subjected to prolonged sexual abuse by a lecturer at the Benue State Polytechnic and his son over a five-year period.
The repeated assaults left her battling severe medical conditions, including Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF), which led to several hospitalisations before her death on October 18, 2018, at the General Hospital in Otukpo.
An autopsy confirmed she had suffered serial abuse, triggering nationwide protests and the original #JusticeForOchanya campaign in 2018. Dr. Andrew Ogbuja was later arraigned on charges of rape and child defilement but was acquitted by a Benue State High Court in 2021 due to insufficient evidence. His wife, Felicia, was sentenced to five months in prison for negligence.
Meanwhile, Victor Ogbuja, the lecturer’s son who was also indicted in the case, was never tried despite an outstanding arrest warrant. Reports suggest he is currently pursuing a music career in Lagos.
The recent wave of activism began last week after advocates spotlighted the lack of accountability in the case. Child rights activist Betty Abah questioned the circumstances surrounding Dr. Ogbuja’s release and called on the Benue State Government, police, and Ministry of Justice to intervene.
Within 48 hours, the hashtag #JusticeForOchanya gained over 10,000 mentions on X (formerly Twitter), with Nigerians expressing outrage, sharing survivor stories, and demanding Victor’s arrest.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) also joined the movement, pledging to pursue the case in the National Assembly. She urged the deceased’s family to formally petition her office, reaffirming her commitment to seeking justice for Ochanya.
“The story of little Ochanya broke my heart seven years ago. I thought justice had been served, but discovering that the accused were discharged and acquitted is deeply painful,” she stated, vowing to fight for accountability.
The revived campaign has been linked to broader advocacy against gender-based violence and child marriage, with users merging it with the #EndChildMarriage movement to amplify calls for systemic reform and justice for survivors across Nigeria.
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) began nationwide on Thursday, with over 2.2 million candidates expected to participate across accredited centres.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The exam, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple daily sessions.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged examination officials to remain highly committed and professional, noting that the success of the exercise depends largely on their dedication.
He gave the charge during a virtual final briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination, where he also praised staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers, and technical advisers for their roles in the successful conduct of the mock exam.
Oloyede said many of the issues recorded during the mock exercise were due to poor assessment of centres by some technical officials.
He further stated that incentive packages would be awarded to teams that perform exceptionally, particularly in handling exam materials and submitting timely reports.
Reiterating JAMB’s zero-tolerance stance on malpractice, he warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
He also disclosed that biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems have been deployed to protect the integrity of the exercise.
Candidates whose biometrics cannot be verified, he added, will be rescheduled to write the exam at approved centres.
Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent monitoring proceedings at Aduvie International School, Jahi, reported that the first session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. began slightly behind schedule at about 8:40 a.m.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, on Thursday inspected security deployments at Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the inspection is part of proactive measures to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and hitch-free conduct of the ongoing examinations.
The UTME is scheduled to run nationwide from April 16 to 18, 2026.
During the exercise, CP Sanusi assessed security arrangements put in place to safeguard candidates, examination officials, and CBT facilities.
He also engaged with centre supervisors, assuring them of adequate security presence throughout the examination period.
Adeh added that the CP reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, warning that any attempt to disrupt the examinations would be met with decisive action in line with the law.
Over 700 former terrorists who have undergone deradicalisation and rehabilitation are set to be reintegrated into their communities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Nigerian military has also dismissed reports alleging that beneficiaries of Operation Safe Corridor are being recruited into military institutions.
According to African Independent Television, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali, made this known during a media tour of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre in Gombe, North-East Nigeria.
He said many Nigerians still misunderstand the Federal Government’s structured counter-terrorism initiative, which is designed to restore peace in communities affected by insurgency.
Brigadier-General Ali explained that the programme focuses on rehabilitation and peaceful reintegration of repentant individuals into society.
During the tour, some of the participants also shared accounts of their involvement in offences that led to their admission into the programme.
The facility inspection was part of preparations for the graduation of over 700 clients who have completed the deradicalisation and rehabilitation process and are set for reintegration.
-
latest8 months ago“Social Media Erupts As Jim Iyke Declares Rita Dominic Nollywood’s Most Beautiful”
-
latest2 years agoEdo Political Showdown: Oshiomhole Appears At Presidential Villa As Tinubu Hands APC Gubernatorial Flag To Okpebholo (Photos & Video)
-
entertainment2 years agoLove Knows No Age American Woman Defends Marriage To Young Nigerian Man “I’m Not 70”
-
latest2 years agoOlumide Akpata Strikes Again: Drops Killer Track, Sends Edo State Into Frenzy!(Video)
-
Politics2 years agoNigerians React As Pastor Adeboye Foresees Passing Away On A Sunday After Enjoying A Satisfying Meal Of Pounded Yam
-
latest2 years agoFG Identifies 31 States At Risk Of Heavy Flooding In 2024: See Full List
-
Politics2 years agoBREAKING: Inspector-General Of Police Summons Top Police Commanders For Crucial-Security Challenges
-
latest2 years ago5 NYSC Corpers Perish In Fatal Road Accident Returning From Camp