Abia State Government says it is currently processing an additional batch of returnees from South Africa, adding that the state recorded eight cases of sexual and gender-based violence involving survivors aged between four and 25.

Addressing journalists on Monday on the outcome of the week’s executive council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti, the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, said the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection had continued to coordinate the protection, voluntary repatriation and reintegration of Abians affected by xenophobic violence in South Africa.

According to him, “The ministry is currently processing an additional batch of returnees while maintaining contact with the leaders of the Abia community in South Africa to identify and verify other stranded Abians in South Africa.”

The state government, he said, would continue to provide assistance to “our unfortunate brothers and sisters who are facing a hard time in South Africa.”

He added, “The state government will continue to make efforts with the Minister of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection and ensure that they come back to the country and their state.”

Kanu also said the Nchedo Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Aba recorded eight cases of sexual and gender-based violence during the period under review, involving survivors aged between four and 25.

The cases, he said, included abuse by neighbours, landlords, family members and, in one instance, a labourer, with many of the incidents involving repeated assaults on young children by the same perpetrator.

“The centre provided medical, psychosocial and learning support to the victims and is currently collaborating with law enforcement agencies to pursue justice for the victims involved across the state,” he said.

He also said considerable progress had been made in the state government’s partnership with MTN to achieve voice and data coverage across Abia.

“Currently, 77 per cent of the newly rolled-out sites are operational, and citizens have reported coverage in previously disadvantaged areas,” he said.

According to him, MTN Nigeria Limited was working to restore the almost 100 per cent coverage achieved a few weeks earlier before the vandalism of most of the new sites.

Kanu further said the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education had scheduled a five-day orientation programme for newly recruited teachers, aimed at helping them understand the vision and strategic direction of education under the current administration.