Nigeria, UNODC, International Partners Develop Toolkit to Protect Survivors of Terrorism-Related Sexual Violence

By Zainab Uzomah

The National Counterterrorism Centre (NCTC), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and international partners are working to strengthen emergency responses to sexual and gender-based violence linked to terrorism.

The initiative was discussed at the Second Expert Group Meeting on the Development of a Toolkit for First Emergency Responders in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Cases Linked to Terrorism, held at the NCTC in Abuja on October 20 and 21, 2026.

National Coordinator of the NCTC, Major General Adamu Garba Laka, said survivors of sexual violence often face lasting physical injuries, psychological trauma, stigma and difficulties accessing support.

He stressed that first responders must prioritise survivors’ safety, dignity and confidentiality while ensuring timely medical assistance, appropriate referrals and the preservation of evidence that could support investigations.

The Nigeria Country Representative of UNODC, Cheikh Toure, said terrorist groups deliberately use sexual and gender-based violence to terrorise, punish and control individuals and communities.

He cited the 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State, as an example of the devastating consequences of terrorism-related sexual violence.

Toure called for the toolkit to be adapted to local realities, particularly in communities where emergency responders face limited resources and inadequate training.

Sarah Weiss Ma’udi, Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said lessons from the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel had reinforced the need to train emergency responders to recognise sexual violence and properly preserve evidence.

She said the toolkit, developed under UNODC leadership with support from Israel, Germany and Switzerland, would provide practical guidance adaptable to different countries and cultural settings.

Weiss Ma’udi also emphasised the importance of sharing expertise among medical personnel, police officers, emergency volunteers and other frontline responders to improve survivor protection and accountability.

The meeting further highlighted the need to translate the toolkit into local languages and strengthen coordination among security agencies, healthcare providers, specialist support services and justice institutions.

Participants are expected to review the revised draft, assess its practical application and discuss its finalisation and dissemination.

The event was attended by Major General Adamu Garba Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counterterrorism Centre; Cheikh Toure, Nigeria Country Representative of UNODC; Sarah Weiss Ma’udi, Israel’s Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security; Anne Mosimann-Girardet, Senior Legal Adviser at the Directorate of International Law, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, who participated online; Lorena Mohr, Political Counsellor at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Nigeria; Michael Abu, Head of Strategic Communication at the NCTC; Joaquín Zuckerberg, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer at UNODC’s Terrorism Prevention Branch; and Orly Maya Stern, Researcher and Consultant with UNODC amongst others.