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Post Insurgency: NGO Urges Borno Govt To Consider Transitional Justice For Peace, Development
Post Insurgency: NGO Urges Borno Govt To Consider Transitional Justice For Peace, Development
By Melvin Uche
Basic Rights Watch, a non- governmental organisation (NGO) has called on Borno State government to adopt Transitional Justice (TJ) in its Post- insurgency era as a pathway to peace and development in the state.
The Chief Executive Officer of Basic Rights Watch, Mr Austine Ekwujuru made the call while addressing Journalists on Wednesday in Maiduguri.
Ekwujuru noted that the steady decline in Boko Haram attacks in North-East Nigeria, particularly Borno State indicates that the country is gradually moving towards the post-insurgency era, hence the urgent need to find pathways to lasting peace and development for the affected populace.
He said as such, there is no better approach than the deployment of a robust Transitional Justice (TJ) mechanism to ensure sustainable pathways to peace, healing, accountability, and development.
He said Transitional Justice is crucial for the promotion of human rights and justice, peace and security, good governance and development, noting that the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 underscores the importance of these ideals as part of the drive towards the ‘Africa-We-Want’.
“Transitional justice (TJ) consists of judicial and non-judicial measures implemented in order to redress legacies of human rights abuses. Such measures could “include truth commissions, reparations programs, and various kinds of institutional reforms amongst others. TJ is informed by a society’s desire to rebuild social trust, repair a fractured justice system and ensure accountability after a prolonged conflict.
“The consortium Basic Rights Watch, the People, Young Professionals in Policy and Development and Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution today urge the Borno State government to consider Transitional Justice mechanism in the post-insurgency era as a pathway to sustainable peace and development in the state.
“TJ has recently received greater attention by both academics and policymakers. It has also generated interest in the fields of political and legal discourse. In periods of political transitions, from authoritarian, dictatorial regimes or from civil conflicts to democracy, TJ has often provided opportunities for such societies to address past human rights abuses, mass atrocities, or other forms of severe trauma in order to facilitate a smooth transition into a more democratic or peaceful future.
“In Nigeria, after the transition process from military regime to a democratic regime, a Truth and Reconciliation Panel was set up called the Oputa panel. In South Africa, after the Apartheid regime, a truth and reconciliation panel was set up headed by Bishop Desmond Tutu. Other TJ processes include the Gacaca courts in Rwanda, which helped in promoting truth and justice in their community. In Sierra Leone, there was the Fambul Tor aimed at reconciliation and forgiveness in communities that were affected by a long-running civil war.
“In Liberia, there was the Palaver Hut, all locally driven initiatives. Following the Boko Haram insurgency and the counter-insurgency, there were cases of human rights violations and abuses in the North East particularly in Borno state by both state and non-state actors. Therefore, there is need for TJ mechanisms aimed at healing, accountability, reconciliation and forgiveness.
“The concept of TJ is therefore a necessary step in moving from a divided and painful past to a commonly shared and developed future. The core values of TJ include but are not limited to: Acknowledgement of responsibility and the suffering of victims; Showing remorse; Asking for forgiveness; Paying compensation or making reparation; Reconciliation,” Ekwujuru said.
He noted that the concerted efforts of the government to tackle insurgency especially in Borno state is yielding the desired results as noted in the de-escalation of violence, but however observed that, the human rights violations that trailed the operations of the insurgents and the counter-insurgency made the young people to be targets of harassments, torture and brutality.
He said that these have left an indelible mark on their psyche and ignited a mood to seek justice as a critical pathway for sustainable peace.
Post Insurgency: NGO Urges Borno Govt To Consider Transitional Justice For Peace, Development
AU, Nigeria sign MoU to strengthen fight against terrorism
By; Zagazola Makama
The African Union Commission and the Federal Republic of Nigeria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism across the continent.
The agreement was signed on Sept. 8 by Amb. Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, and Maj.-Gen. Adamu Garba Laka, National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
The MoU provides a framework to enhance cooperation and coordination between the AU and Nigeria on counterterrorism initiatives.
Adeoye said the partnership underscored the commitment of both parties to addressing the growing threat of terrorism through coordinated strategies, capacity building and information sharing.
The areas of collaboration include real-time information sharing, deployment of NCTC experts to the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre (AUCTC), joint research, as well as support for victim recovery, deradicalisation and reintegration.
A Joint Working Group is to be established to monitor progress and oversee the implementation of the MoU.
The agreement reflects the shared commitment of Nigeria and the African Union to promote peace and security across Africa.
AU, Nigeria sign MoU to strengthen fight against terrorism
Residents of Kachia call for media attention as bandit attacks escalate
By: Zagazola Makama
Residents of Kachia Local Government Area in Kaduna State have raised concerns over the apparent underreporting of recurring bandit attacks and kidnappings in the area, urging major media houses to take notice.
In a statement signed by Rev. Fr. Agbo Gabriel, the community expressed frustration that despite enduring more than two years without consistent electricity, and relying on solar power where possible, the security challenges in Kachia and surrounding villages have largely gone unreported.
According to the statement, in the early hours of Sunday, September 7, 2025, bandits attacked Wakeh village in Agunu District, killing eight people, injuring many others, and burning homes and property.
The attacks, the statement says, have similarly affected Ankwa, Bishini, Katari, and other villages, leaving communities displaced, traumatised, and in despair.
“The poor people of Kachia town, who used to host internally displaced persons from surrounding villages, are now themselves being targeted,” Rev. Fr. Gabriel said. “Kidnappings from farms and homes are happening daily, yet media coverage remains virtually absent. We are forced to ask: where are the correspondents or reporters of major media houses in Kaduna and Kachia?”
The statement appealed to Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, to urgently address the insecurity in Kachia LGA, highlighting the area’s potential and importance to the state. Residents also called for stronger community-based surveillance, engagement of local leaders, and collective action to protect vulnerable villages.
Rev. Fr. Gabriel emphasised that local vigilance is critical at this time, urging residents to report suspicious activities and support one another in defending their communities.
“Kachia is a land of great potential and does not deserve such neglect,” the statement concluded. “Media houses, we need your attention. Kachia too exists.”
Zagazola report that the Kaduna State had not released any statement regarding the unfortunate incident.
Residents of Kachia call for media attention as bandit attacks escalate
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil bandits’ attack in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and Police Command in Katsina State, have foiled an attempted attack by armed bandits in Malumfashi Local Government Area.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 7:35 p.m. following credible intelligence that armed bandits on motorcycles were heading towards Gora village.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA and other security operatives, intercepted the bandits and engaged in a fierce gun duel.
The bandits fled in disarray under superior firepower. No casualty was recorded, and calm has since returned to the area,”said sources.
The sources added that aggressive patrols and clearance operations had been intensified to track down the fleeing criminals.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil bandits’ attack in Katsina
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