The Abia State Government has said it is currently processing an additional batch of Abians seeking to return from South Africa following xenophobic violence.

The government also disclosed that eight cases of sexual and gender-based violence involving survivors aged between four and 25 were recorded during the period under review.

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 was also maintaining communication with leaders of the Abia community in South Africa to identify and verify other stranded Abians.

“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 said the state government would continue to support 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 added.

On sexual and gender-based violence, Kanu said the Nchedo Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Aba recorded eight cases 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 him, several of the cases involved repeated assaults on young children by the same alleged 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.

Kanu further disclosed that significant progress had been made in the Abia State Government's partnership with MTN to expand 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 network coverage in areas that had previously been 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 the commissioner, MTN Nigeria Limited was working to restore the nearly 100 per cent coverage recorded a few weeks earlier before most of the newly deployed sites were vandalised.

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

He said the programme was designed to acquaint the teachers with the vision and strategic direction of the education sector under the present administration.