The Abia State Government says it is currently processing an additional batch of Abians returning from South Africa following xenophobic violence, while eight cases of sexual and gender-based violence involving survivors aged between four and 25 were also recorded during the period under review.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

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 was working with leaders of the Abia community in South Africa to identify and verify other residents who may still be stranded.

“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,” Kanu said.

He added that the state government would continue to provide support for Abians facing difficult circumstances in South Africa.

“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,” he said.

Kanu also disclosed that the Nchedo Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Aba recorded eight cases of sexual and gender-based violence involving survivors between the ages of four and 25.

He said the reported cases involved alleged abuse by neighbours, landlords, family members and, in one instance, a labourer.

According to the commissioner, several of the incidents involved repeated assaults on young children by the same alleged perpetrators.

He said the centre had provided medical, psychosocial and learning support to the survivors and was collaborating with law enforcement agencies to pursue justice in the cases.

“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.

On telecommunications, Kanu said considerable progress had been made in the partnership between the Abia State Government and MTN to improve voice and data coverage across the state.

He said 77 per cent of the newly rolled-out sites were currently operational, with residents reporting improved coverage in areas that were previously underserved.

“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 also working to restore the nearly 100 per cent coverage recorded a few weeks earlier before most of the newly installed sites were vandalised.

Kanu further disclosed that the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education had scheduled a five-day orientation programme for newly recruited teachers.

He said the programme was aimed at acquainting the teachers with the vision and strategic direction of education under the current administration.