As Nigerian women joined their counterparts around the world to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day, the foremost gender-focused non-governmental organisation, Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL), has raised alarm over the numerous challenges women and girls face while seeking justice in the country.
Speaking with journalists in Enugu during activities marking the global celebration, the Founding Director of WACOL, Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, stressed that the 2026 commemoration must move beyond rhetoric to concrete action.
According to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), many women who should be celebrated as national heroes are instead being betrayed by the very systems they once trusted.
Professor Ezeilo revealed that WACOL has handled more than 82,000 cases of violence against women and girls in the last 28 years of the organisation’s existence.
She disclosed that the organisation is currently pursuing two disturbing cases involving institutional neglect and predatory abuse which require urgent intervention.
The 2026 global theme for International Women’s Day is “Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls,” with a campaign mandate titled “Give to Gain.”
Highlighting one of the cases, Ezeilo drew attention to the plight of Grace Ohiaeri, a female police officer serving at the Nigeria Police Force in Enugu, whom she described as a victim of the institution she once served.
According to her, the officer performed a heroic act in 1998 when she disarmed a dangerous criminal during a jailbreak in Enugu to protect citizens. However, instead of commendation, she allegedly suffered maltreatment and institutional neglect.
Ezeilo explained that Ohiaeri’s salary was abruptly stopped nearly three decades ago without justification, despite the fact that she remained technically in service.
She further alleged that a relief donation of ₦20 million made by businessman and philanthropist Arthur Eze to support the officer reportedly disappeared under questionable circumstances.
Now elderly and frail, the officer is reportedly facing eviction from her official quarters due to planned renovations, leaving her without accommodation.
Describing the situation as a “national disgrace,” Ezeilo called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatuji Disu, and the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Bitrus Giwa, to urgently intervene.
She urged the authorities to pay Ohiaeri’s salary arrears for the past 28 years, promote her to the appropriate rank, and grant her a dignified retirement.
Ezeilo also highlighted another troubling case involving Faith Odoh, whose family has been pushed into extreme poverty.
According to her, Odoh’s 12-year-old daughter was repeatedly abused by five different men, including a pastor who also served as chairman of a neighbourhood watch group and had been providing the family shelter.
She said the family is now facing eviction and the children have dropped out of school.
Marking the 2026 International Women’s Day, Ezeilo said WACOL is moving from advocacy to action by launching a fundraising drive to assist both victims.
The organisation plans to use the funds to secure safe housing for Ohiaeri and Odoh, establish a sustainable livelihood for Odoh, and return her children to school.
“When we support women and girls, we build stronger communities and create a just future for everyone,” she said.
Ezeilo therefore called on members of the public, corporate organisations, and individuals of goodwill to support the campaign and contribute to the urgent fundraising effort.
