The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has launched a strategic offensive against conflict-related sexual violence in Borno State, unveiling a specialist tactical guide to end impunity for crimes linked to the ongoing insurgency.

The initiative, developed in partnership with Global Affairs Canada, introduced a ‘Quick Reference Guide for Investigating Sexual Assault’ designed to revolutionise investigation of sexual violence in conflict-affected regions.

UNODC Country Representative, Cheikh Touré, said the move was a direct response to the United Nations Secretary-General’s call for Nigeria to ensure accountability for the deep scars left by years of displacement and insurgent violence.

It is, therefore, a tool designed as a portable aide-mémoire to provide investigators with immediate, field-ready guidance on handling sensitive cases in complex operational environments.

Touré said the guide would be placed directly in the hands of frontline responders across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

His words: “Strengthening forensic and investigative capacity is not only a technical imperative but also a commitment to dignity, accountability, and the rule of law,” adding that the project is proudly Nigerian,” having been developed through extensive local consultation.
 
The guide outlines seven essentials for survivor-focused investigations, specifically tackling the technical gaps where justice is often lost. 

Touré noted that without properly preserved forensic evidence, “cases can collapse before they ever reach a courtroom.”

To support the new guidelines, the UNODC is upgrading the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Maiduguri, and strengthening the forensic laboratory capacity of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja. 

These upgrades aim to establish the scientific link between suspects and crimes necessary for successful prosecutions.

Supporting the initiative, Senior Project Manager at Global Affairs Canada, Wilma Eyang Endamne, said accessible tools are vital in “complex and often challenging operational environments” like the North-East to reinforce professional standards and promote consistency.

Also, Justice Obiora Egwuata of the Federal High Court, Abuja warned that sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) thrives in silence, and is exacerbated by weak justice systems. 

She observed that “weak reporting and justice systems, delays in investigation, poor evidence gathering and preservation lead to low conviction rates, which discourages survivors from seeking justice.

The jurist described the ‘Aide-Mémoire Card’ as a critical tool that would “greatly assist all stakeholders, investigators, judges, and the police in the fight against SGBV.”