NHRC charge security agencies to respect rights of affected

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The National Human Rights Commission has called on security agencies and government actors in conflict regions to respect the rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees and asylum seekers Nation wide.

The call was made recently by the Executive Secretary (ES) of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Dr Tony Ojukwu during a collaborative training session held in Maiduguri on the mainstreaming of human rights and humanitarian responses during daily operations by security and government actors.

Dr Ojukwu who was represented by his special Assistant, and head of monitoring of the organization, Dr Benedict Agu who flagged the two days training open for participants from both military and the civil society said the gathering was timely considering what goes on in various theatres of war in Nigeria.

Welcoming participants to the training, the ES noted that the meeting was an activity under the Project: ‘NHRC/UNHCR 2025 Project on the Protection of Human Rights of idps, refugees, asylum seekers and returnees through Information/Data Collection and Documentation in Nigeria’.

Dr Ojukwu noted that the Commission was implementing the project with the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and was going to make it a yearly activity until the apathy against these vulnerable people is reduced to the minimum.

Dr Ojukwu maintained that he appreciated the continuous support of UNHCR in providing the much-needed assistance towards the promotion and protection of the rights of these persons for whom the Commission and UNHCR works with.

“The plight of these people because of insurgency activities/armed conflicts, flooding and drought etc should be of concern to all, hence, the continuous intervention by NHRC with the support of UNHCR.

“This year’s project cycle commenced in January 2025 in the three most impacted LGAs in the 11 states of Adamawa, Akwa- Ibom, Borno, Benue, Cross-River, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.

“Human Right Monitors (HRMs) and Community Protection Action Group (CPAGs) members were trained and deployed to these selected LGAs where they work closely with the staff of UNHCR to gather and send reports regularly to the report harmonization team at the Commission’s headquarters.

“The HRMs and CPAGs visit the detention facilities in within their area of coverage in the different IDP camps, returned communities and host Communities in identifying and reporting protection/ human rights issues as well as referring these protection issues to different MDAs for appropriate response.”

Ojukwu hinted that the project has recorded a good number of targeted responses from the MDAs and humanitarian actors adding that the Commission, therefore, deems it necessary to engage with the security and government actors who may have one thing or the other with regards to the above stated populations under the Project for better coordination and understanding so as to continue to give positive human rights and humanitarian responses to matters concerning them.

“The identified protection issues are not just mere needs of these mandated population for NHRC, rather they are issues that may breach the enjoyment of their fundamental human rights. These issues must be seen as violations of the rights of these persons who have been made vulnerable through displacement due to the insurgency and other related conflicts.

“One of the purposes of this engagement is to highlight some of the protection issues and/or human rights/humanitarian concerns and encourage the responsible agency of government and relevant humanitarian actors to make efforts at resolving them early. ” He stressed.

The ES stated that the engagement with MDAs and humanitarian actors is also to promote and facilitate information sharing on areas of humanitarian activities in the states.

” It will also provide the needed link between the HRMs, CPAG members and the MDAs in relation to referral pathways to enable them respond in real time to the challenges faced by the NHRC mandated populations.” Said the ES.

Barrister Ojukwu posited that it was important that the meeting was held at this point in time to enable Protection and Humanitarian Actors identify potentials and future collaboration areas adding that the meeting will also present a learning opportunity for participant observers involved in protection and humanitarian interventions in war theatres nation wide.

In his presentation titled “Understanding UNHCR mandate and the humanitarian situation in the north East of Nigeria Dan Bisu said that 123.2 million humans are displaced worldwide with African having 38.1 million of that and Nigeria occupying a big chunk of that number

Out of this statistics, 73.5 million of them are IDP’s while 36.8 million are asylum seekers with the middle East and north Africa contributing to 32.9 million of that figure.

Meanwhile 3.45 percent of the globally forcibly displaced population in 2024 are said to be Nigerians.

It is a known fact that during the last 16 years of insurgency, human rights of these individuals have been badly abused especially by their camp managers at a time when the vulnerable needed protection and humanitarian interventions for their survival.

It expected that stakeholders after the training will strengthen collaboration that will counter the disturbing trend of human rights violations in the Northeast Hadin Kai war theatre which has witnessed thousands of deaths due to back and forth movement of IDP’s and refugees running for their lives across the bobby traps of improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the savannah.

The training was attended by troops representatives of Operations Hadin Kai, civil defense, the Nigerian police, DSS, immigration, other paramilitary organizations, ministries, departments and agencies (MDA’s).

NHRC charge security agencies to respect rights of affected

Troops repel terrorists’ reprisal attack after killing Notorious kingpin in Tsafe Zamfara, 2 soldiers killed

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have repelled an attack by terrorists in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara, losing two personnel in the encounter.

The attack was in response to the eliminated of a notorious bandit identified as Abu A. K and several of his gang members in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, in an earlier encounter by the troops.

Security sources confirmed that the incident occurred on Tuesday at about 3:10 p.m. along the Marabar Kyaware–Unguwar Chida axis.

He said the troops, who were on stop-and-search duty, came under ambush by a large number of armed terrorists but gallantly engaged them in a fierce gun battle, forcing the attackers to flee with possible gunshot wounds.

“Unfortunately, two military personnel lost their lives during the exchange of fire. Their remains have been evacuated to the hospital for autopsy,” the sources said.

Reinforcements were deployed to the scene in coordination with other security agencies while joint patrols were intensified to restore normalcy along the route.

The sources commended the bravery and professionalism of the troops and reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining joint security operations across the state to safeguard lives and property.
End

Troops kill notorious bandit Abu A. K, several others in Tsafe operation

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s Operation FANSAN YANMA in a joint operation with other security forces, have eliminated a notorious bandit identified as Abu A. K and several of his gang members in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the deceased bandit, who was linked to the infamous warlord Ado Aleiro, was intercepted after sneaking into Tsafe town to attend the weekly Friday cattle market, his first visit to the town in about five years.

According to the sources, Abu A. K had been among the most wanted bandits terrorising the Tsafe axis and surrounding forests, notorious for killings, kidnappings, and cattle rustling. He was reportedly trailed and captured after arriving in the town through one of his female contacts, identified as Halima, who resides in the Gabbacin Tsafe area.

“Following credible intelligence, troops moved swiftly and apprehended him. He was later neutralised during an exchange of fire as he attempted to escape custody,” the source said.

In a related development, troops on joint patrol operations on Monday morning successfully ambushed and neutralised several other bandits in Tsafe forests, recovering a Boxer-type rifle and other arms.

The operation, which took place around 9 a.m., was described by security officials as a major success in the ongoing offensive against bandit groups operating in the area. The troops also launched another offensive deep into the North of Tsafe forests, killing an undisclosed number of bandits.

According to sources, the remains of Abu A. K were taken to Magazu, one of the forward operating bases under Tsafe LGA, where further identification was carried out.

Security officials also confirmed that the slain bandit was responsible for the killing of three construction workers attached to Setraco Construction Company two weeks ago at a site where the firm was excavating sand in Tsafe area.

Troops kill notorious bandit Abu A. K, several others in Tsafe operation