Kaduna records 34 GBV convictions, unveils toll-free hotlines

Kaduna State government has secured about 34 convictions in gender-based violence (GBV) cases between July 2023 and 2025, and has unveiled toll-free hotlines, a referral directory and a referral protocol.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Rabi Salisu, disclosed this Thursday at the Gender-based Violence Technical Working Group Coordination Meeting held at the ministry’s Diversion Hall in Kaduna.

According to her, the initiatives were aimed at strengthening support services for survivors and addressing the challenge of underreporting.

She said that the administration of Governor Uba Sani remained committed to protecting women, children and other vulnerable groups, stressing that the state had adopted a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of violence.

Salisu said that despite the convictions secured, underreporting remained a major challenge, hence, the need to provide accessible channels for reporting and strengthening response mechanisms for survivors.

The unveiling of these toll-free hotlines, referral directory and protocol is more than the launch of communication tools. It is the establishment of a stronger and more responsive system that ensures survivors are heard, protected and connected to timely support services,” she said.

The commissioner announced three dedicated toll-free lines, 08000070070, 07058890117 and 07058890116, noting that they would provide immediate support for survivors and facilitate prompt reporting of cases.

She further explained that the referral directory would link survivors to healthcare, psychosocial support, legal aid, security response and social welfare interventions, while the protocol would ensure coordinated, confidential and survivor-centred services among stakeholders.

The commissioner added that Kaduna State laws prescribing stiff penalties for sexual offenders, including death sentence for convicted rapists and surgical castration, remained in force, adding that the Uba Sani administration had strengthened prevention mechanisms and support systems in addition to prosecution.

She also revealed that Kaduna State had adopted the national dashboard for GBV data management and remained one of the leading states in the country in reporting and prevention efforts.

“Kaduna is among the leading states in the country when it comes to reporting and prevention of gender-based violence and the number one in Northern Nigeria. But we want more people to report cases because underreporting remains a challenge,” she said.

She urged residents to make use of the newly launched hotlines to report cases promptly, saying early reporting would not only improve access to support services but also help prevent further occurrences through effective referral pathways.