Yobe attack story false, no such incident occurred – Zagazola Fact Check

By: Zagazola Makama

The reported killing of at least 84 people in Mafa community, Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State, is false and without basis, Zagazola Fact Check can authoritatively confirm.

Contrary to claims published by a national newspaper, no such attack or mass burial took place in the community. Checks across multiple security and government sources revealed that Yobe has remained largely peaceful, with residents pursuing their daily activities.

The Yobe State Police Command, the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Affairs, and the Chairman of Tarmuwa Local Government Council have all dismissed the report, describing it as fictitious and misleading.

In a statement, Mamman Mohammed, Director-General of Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, said the publication inflicted psychological trauma on residents of Mafa community and unfairly portrayed the state as under siege.

“It is a gross disservice to journalism for a newspaper to allow its reporter to mislead Nigerians and the world with such a false, baseless and unwarranted publication,” he said.

Mohammed said the government was deeply concerned that the fabricated report could damage Yobe’s image, which has benefited from sustained peace-building efforts over the past years.

Fact-checks by Zagazola further confirmed that no police record, security briefing, record from Sector 2 Operation Hadin Kai and Theartre Command or community report supported the claims of 150 terrorists storming Mafa, nor the alleged burial of dozens of victims in Babangida. Residents contacted by Zagazola also confirmed there had been no such incident.

We wonder what motive lay behind the publication of such an unfounded story, which exists only in fiction. This reporter could put the credibility of the Newspaper on the line by circulating a report that collapses under basic scrutiny.

The public is therefore advised to disregard the report in its entirety. Yobe State, and Mafa community in particular, remain peaceful and calm.
End

AnambraDecides2025: Politicians in Anambra Cautioned Against Use of Hake Speech

By: Michael Mike

The Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC), has strongly cautioned political actors in Anambra State against the use of hate speech and the spread of disinformation/fakenews as the gubernatorial election approaches.

SIDEC is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that promotes democracy, transparency, and inclusive governance,

SIDEC, in a statement on Thursday, highlighted the urgency for all candidates, especially those from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), to refrain from making inflammatory remarks that could escalate tensions in the political environment.

SIDEC said political actors in Anambra State should desist from hate speech and disinformation/fake news before, during and after the Anambra Guber Poll in November 2025.

SIDEC noted that hate speech and disinformation/fakenews pose a serious threat to democratic values and social cohesion, undermining the foundation of a stable society. Promoting unity and understanding among candidates and voters.

AnambraDecides2025: Politicians in Anambra Cautioned Against Use of Hake Speech

EU, NHRC Demand Reforms to Enforce Disability Rights

By: Michael Mike

The European Union (EU) has raised serious concerns over the inaccessibility of banking services to over 35,000 persons with disabilities in the country.

Speaking at a consultative meeting and inauguration of the disability inclusion technical working group for implementation of the protocol to the African charter on human and people rights and the right of person with disabilities and the discrimination against person in Abuja on Monday, the EU representative at the meeting, Winfred Achu asked for urgent reforms to remove barriers limiting access to financial services.

Winfred, while highlighting the physical challenges many people with disabilities face when trying to access Nigerian banks, including tight and poorly designed entrance that are especially unfriendly to wheelchair users and those with mobility devices, said: “You can imagine what it is like for people who are wheelchair users or even persons who use a physical device. How difficult it is just to enter a bank and complete a transaction. This is not how life should be for any human being.”

She noted that despite Nigeria having passed a disability law aimed at improving accessibility and inclusivity, awareness and implementation remain low, even within government agencies.

She lamented that: “Many are not even aware of the existence of this law, or how it should be implemented.”

Achu, while explaining that Nigeria is a signatory to the African Disability Protocol, however added that signing is not enough, the country must fully domesticate and enforce the provisions of the protocol at all levels, including federal, state, and especially community levels.

The EU commended the participation of key stakeholders including the National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), urging them to work together for practical, grassroots-level implementation.

In his welcome address , The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu, insisted that there is urgent need for concrete, actionable policies and programmes to combat discrimination against persons with disabilities in Nigeria.

Ojukwu welcomed representatives from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), development partners, and civil society organisations.

He described the gathering as a testament to the collective commitment to driving inclusive policies across all sectors.

Ojukwu said: “In our shared quest to advance disability inclusion, the NHRC, alongside the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and other key stakeholders—with strong support from Sightsavers—advocated for the signing and ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (ADP).”

The event also marked the formal establishment of a Disability Inclusion Technical Working Group, a multi-stakeholder platform created to implement the ADP and other related legislations. The initiative stems from resolutions made at a previous workshop held in October 2024, which focused on stakeholder roles in implementing the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 and the ADP Protocol.

Ojukwu said: “This Working Group aligns with Articles 33 and 34 of the Protocol, ensuring full participation, capacity building, and the establishment of mechanisms to monitor the implementation of the ADP.”

He revealed that the group will serve as a coordinating body for technical support, mainstreaming disability-inclusive policies, and strengthening institutional capacity toward full inclusivity.

He also expressed deep appreciation to Sightsavers for its unwavering support and commitment to the cause of disability inclusion, stating that their contributions have been “tremendous in this journey.”

He said: “As we embark on this important work, let us remain committed as agents of change. Our shared vision is a society where everyone, regardless of ability, has equal opportunities to contribute and succeed.”

Ojukwu called on all stakeholders to work together to make disability inclusion a reality, pledging NHRC’s continued commitment to promoting, protecting, and enforcing the human rights of all Nigerians.

Earlier the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disability ( NCPWD), Chief Ayuba Gufwan noted that in other societies rights of people with disabilities are known and promoted by ordinary people and government .
He called for full implementation of the Disability (Prohibition) Act of 2018 and a more inclusive environment for promotion , protection and enforcement of human rights for everyone regardless of ability .

EU, NHRC Demand Reforms to Enforce Disability Rights