The following memo analyzes data for the focus states of Borno, Yobe, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta for April 2016.

A record 80 reported incidents of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) were reported in April 2016. While October 2015, currently has 82 incidents reported, when the October memo was published there were only 67 reported incidents, with the rest being reported afterwards. For April, the highest number of reports from the NSRP Observatory came from the Plateau service point. In the Niger Delta, sexual violence and child abuse continue to be major themes in reporting. All three states in the Niger Delta had reports of VAWG this month.

In the North Central region, VAWG reporting focused on child abuse and sexual violence. There were also cases of domestic violence. In the Middle Belt, reporting focused on child abuse, domestic violence, spousal abandonment and sexual violence.

Violence in the Northeast continues to focus on the Jama’atu Ahli Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) insurgency and counter-insurgency efforts. The use of women and girls as suicide bombers continues to be a major tactic of the group. Sexual violence and domestic abuse is also reported in the Northeast.

There were no reported incidents of VAWG in Yobe in April. However, for the first time, there is a self-identified peace agent working on gender issues listed on the online platform.