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NHRC Advises Media on Reporting of Migration Issues
NHRC Advises Media on Reporting of Migration Issues
By: Michael Mike
The media has been advised to be cautious in reporting migration issues, ensuring that it is not used to perpetuate harmful stereotypes but rather promote empathy and understanding.
Speaking at a capacity building of the media on human rights based approach to migration and prevention of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, organized by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in conjunction with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR)
and Protection of Migrants (PROMIS), the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu told journalists at the training that:
“Your reporting can either perpetuate harmful stereotypes or promote empathy and understanding.”
He added that: “We recognize the vital role media plays in shaping policy discourses that affect how people act. Through accurate, sensitive, and solutions-oriented storytelling, you can help dismantle the architecture of human trafficking, challenge xenophobic narratives, and advocate for the rights and dignity of migrants.”
He explained that the training is organized with the following objectives: To enhance understanding on Trafficking in Persons (TiP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SoM) and human rights-based approach to migration; To equip media agencies with the skills and knowledge to report ethically, accurately, and sensitively on issues of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.
Ojukwu said: “Migration is a contentious phenomenon that is multifaceted with millions of individuals residing and working in countries outside their own. Migration is inherent right of all human beings and has been in existence for decades, human rights is cross cutting in all migratory movements primarily because human rights are universal, and everyone on the move is entitled to the protection of their rights as guaranteed by National Regional and international laws.
“Migration is complex and often divisive, and negative attitudes towards migrants, coupled with exclusionary practices, have escalated in recent years. With hundreds of thousands of people embarking on unsafe routes each year in search of better opportunities, the need for an in-depth understanding of migration and its connection to human rights has never been greater.”
He further explained that: “The Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) is a conceptual framework aimed at promoting and protecting human rights based on international standards. It puts human rights and corresponding state obligations in policy, empowering migrants in vulnerable situations to participate in decision-making processes and hold duty-bearers accountable. A HRBA to migration prioritizes treating migrants as human beings, underscored by principles of non-discrimination, empowerment, participation, inclusion, and accountability.”
He said: “Media, as a key influencer of public opinion and awareness, plays a crucial role in framing narratives and policy discourses that affect public actions, thoughts, policymaker priorities, and migrant decisions. The media disseminates information while highlighting the challenges, aspirations, and vulnerabilities of migrants, fostering a deeper understanding of migration drivers. This influences public perception and the design of programmes and initiatives by policymakers. Media voices are essential in shaping opinions and exposing human rights violations impacting migrants.
“To understand and report on discriminatory practices and the unequal power distribution underlying trafficking and smuggling of migrants, which maintain impunity for perpetrators and deny justice to victims, it is essential to build media capacity on HRBA to migration. This enables understanding of how human rights violations arise throughout the trafficking cycle and how states’ obligations under international human rights law are engaged.”
On her part, the Senior Human Rights Adviser, Office of the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, Adwoa Kufuor-Owusu said: “Studies show Nigerian media outlets representation of migrants and migrant issues have been patchy.
“Among other challenges, the frequency of newspaper coverage of migrants is often low and that when they are reported, migrants are not quoted or interviewed. Journalists often rely heavily on government sources. There is also little attention given to why migrants were migrating in the first place.”
She lamented that often migrants are described in reports as “returnees”, “evacuees”, “stranded Nigerians abroad”, or “illegal migrants” without contextualisation, adding that: “Migrants are portrayed as vulnerable or stranded individuals in need of rescue or intervention.”
She told the journalists that: “Throughout the two days, you will hear about migration terminology, gender-sensitive reporting, ethical photojournalism, and reporting vulnerable sources of information, all forming the basis of human-rights based approach. OHCHR and the UN system as a whole have resources that can assist you in taking this workshop forward and broaden coverage and news content related to migration.”
NHRC Advises Media on Reporting of Migration Issues
News
NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in stockfish heads, arrests 80-year-old suspect, others nationwide
NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in stockfish heads, arrests 80-year-old suspect, others nationwide
By: Zagazola Makama
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has intercepted a large consignment of cocaine concealed in imported dry stockfish heads and arrested a key member of an international drug trafficking syndicate operating across several countries, including India.
The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
Babafemi said the seizure followed credible intelligence on trans-border criminal activities, which led to a coordinated sting operation by operatives of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Strategic Command at Ojo area of Lagos on March 19.
He said the operatives recovered 237 wraps of cocaine, weighing 5.80 kilograms, concealed inside stockfish heads locally known as “okporoko,” in three jumbo bags allegedly in possession of a 36-year-old suspect identified as Akputa Dickson Ejike.
According to him, the consignment was destined for Delhi, India.
Babafemi further stated that in a separate operation on March 25, NDLEA operatives at a courier company in Lagos intercepted two illicit consignments heading to the United Kingdom.
He said one of the consignments contained 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in automobile filters, while the second contained 40 ampoules of morphine sulphate and nine ampoules of fentanyl.
The NDLEA spokesperson added that operatives of the agency also arrested a suspected female drug baron, Omolade Abigail Jolayemi, 46, popularly known as “Iya Ghana,” during a raid at her residence in Yaba, Lagos, where 135 blocks of Ghana Loud, weighing 76.30 kilograms, were recovered.
He said another suspect, Anayo Lucky Ohabiro, 39, was arrested in Surulere, Lagos, with 78 blocks of the same substance weighing 41 kilograms.
Babafemi disclosed that in Ekiti State, an 80-year-old suspect, Oke Samuel, was arrested during a special raid at Erinmo road, Efon-Alaaye, with 2.2 kilograms of skunk and methamphetamine, while another suspect was arrested in Ondo State with 894.72 kilograms of skunk recovered from an uncompleted building.
He said further operations in Benue, Edo and Taraba States led to multiple seizures, including skunk, codeine-based syrup, and cannabis concealed in animal feed, with several suspects arrested.
Babafemi added that the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign also continued nationwide with sensitisation lectures in schools across Cross River, Adamawa, Oyo, Kano and Lagos States.
He commended NDLEA officers across the affected commands for the successful operations, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to balancing drug supply reduction with drug demand reduction efforts.
NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in stockfish heads, arrests 80-year-old suspect, others nationwide
Troops recover over 300 rustled livestock after clash between bandit factions
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN TANMA have recovered more than 300 rustled livestock following a confrontation involving rival bandit factions operating between Katsina and Kano states.
Sources said the development followed intelligence on movements of a faction loyal to a bandit leader identified as Muhammadu Filatan, allegedly heading towards Kano State after a clash with a rival group linked to Aleiro in Zamfara State.
The source disclosed that troops of 3 Brigade, deployed at Forward Operating Bases in Tsaure, Yanchibi, Yankwada and Lakwaya, conducted fighting patrols along the riverine boundary between Katsina and Kano states to intercept the fleeing group.
“At about 4:00 p.m., troops at FOB Tsaure made contact with armed bandits at the Gulbi–Goron Dutse axis in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, who were moving with a large herd of rustled livestock,” the source said.
He added that troops engaged the bandits in a firefight, forcing them to abandon the animals and flee towards Gidan Gora village in Musawa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
“Following the encounter, troops recovered a total of 120 cows, 200 sheep, 39 goats and three donkeys,” he said.
According to the source, the recovered livestock were subsequently handed over to authorities in Shanono Local Government Area.
Troops recover over 300 rustled livestock after clash between bandit factions
Troops intercept vehicle, recover 850 litres of fuel in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have intercepted a vehicle conveying suspected illegally supplied fuel and recovered large quantities of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Karasuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Sources said the operation was carried out at about 11:38 p.m. on March 27 by troops of 241 Battalion deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Jajimaji.
The source disclosed that the troops acted on credible intelligence regarding suspected illicit activities by some filling stations in the area.
“During the night patrol, troops intercepted a vehicle along the Karasuwa–Jajiri road, but the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on sighting the troops,” the source said.
He added that a search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 34 jerrycans of PMS, each containing 25 litres, amounting to about 850 litres.
According to him, troops immediately exploited the surrounding area in an attempt to apprehend the fleeing driver, but the effort was unsuccessful.
The source said the recovered items are in military custody, while efforts are ongoing to identify the filling stations allegedly involved and arrest those responsible.
Troops intercept vehicle, recover 850 litres of fuel in Yobe
NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in stockfish heads, arrests 80-year-old suspect, others nationwide
Troops destroy illegal mining sites in Niger
Troops recover over 300 rustled livestock after clash between bandit factions
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