By Abubakar Rabilu , Gombe
Traditional and religious leaders in Gombe State have pledged stronger collaboration with the government to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV), declaring that perpetrators will no longer find refuge within their communities.
The commitment was made at a stakeholders’ town hall meeting convened by the Office of the First Lady, Hajiya Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya, where leaders of faith-based and traditional institutions signed a joint undertaking to intensify advocacy and expose offenders.
Representing the Senior District Head of Gombe, Alhaji Sammani Bappah, alongside officials of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the leaders described GBV as a threat to the moral fabric of society.
The JNI representative, Alhaji Saleh Ɗanburam, said Islam strictly forbids rape and all forms of violence against women and children.
He assured that clerics across mosques in the state would step up sermons and community engagement to enlighten followers on the legal and spiritual consequences of such acts.
Similarly, CAN representative Mercy Francis said Christianity upholds the sanctity and dignity of human life, stressing that churches would strengthen awareness campaigns and encourage victims to report cases without fear of stigma.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional institution, the representative of the Senior District Head said community leaders would work closely with security agencies and relevant authorities to ensure perpetrators are identified and handed over for prosecution.
He urged parents to monitor their children’s movements and associations, noting that silence often emboldens offenders.
The leaders signed a binding document after taking an oath of commitment, pledging to mobilise their subjects and congregations against harmful cultural practices that promote abuse.
They also commended the state government for domesticating and implementing the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law and the Child Protection Law, describing the legislation as critical tools for safeguarding women and children.
The meeting drew participants from government agencies, civil society organisations and community groups, with speakers calling for sustained collaboration to eliminate gender-based violence across the state.
