NHRC strengthens partnership with Gombe Govt on human rights protection
 
By Elizabeth Ogunjobi  

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Gombe State Office has called for stronger collaboration with the government to tackle human rights violations in the state.
 
The State Coordinator of NHRC, Dr Joseph Wanshe, made the call on Tuesday, during a courtesy visit to the Deputy Gov. Manassah Jatau.
 
Wanshe said that such collaboration had become imperative to ensure effective promotion and protection of human rights in the state, stating that rights protection could not succeed in isolation.
 
He said that while the commission carried out its day-to-day activities as an independent institution, its operations touched directly on the lives, security, and socio-economic wellbeing of the people.
 
The coordinator said that security and human rights were two sides of the same coin as sustainable peace could not exist without justice, just as human rights could not flourish without security.
 
He said that recognising the vital link, the commission respectfully sought to deepen its strategic collaboration with the state government.
 
“We humbly request that NHRC be granted observer or advisory inclusion in State Security Council meetings.
 
“This will allow us to share field-level human rights monitoring data, provide early warning insights, and support peacebuilding strategies that strengthen public trust between citizens and law enforcement.
 
“Also, as electoral cycles unfold, we look forward to working closely with the state government and relevant community stakeholders to support a peaceful, inclusive, and rights-respecting environment,” Wanshe said.
 
The coordinator commended the state government’s efforts at advancing the wellbeing of the people through investments in infrastructure, road network, public facilities and urban renewal.
 
Responding, Jatau described NHRC as a noble and humanistic organisation whose activities should be highlighted and recognised.
 
He pledged government’s support at strengthening the protection of citizens’ rights in the state.
 
According to him, with the increasing cases of human rights violation especially against children and women, it has become necessary to support any efforts at tackling such issues.
 
“The inhumane nature of people is what we are seeing today whereby children are maltreated, women are victimised and so many other prevalent ills.
 
“Everyone must help the commission to protect human rights and ensure better welfare for our people,” he said.
 
The deputy governor called on the media and other stakeholders to support the fight against human rights violations, stressing that the protection of citizens’ rights was everyone’s responsibility.

NHRC strengthens partnership with Gombe Govt on human rights protection

Zulum builds, hands over a 42-room patients’ apartment to UMTH

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has commissioned and handed over a newly constructed 42-room patients’ apartment to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) as part of his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery in the state.

The facility, which has a 42-room lodge, was constructed by Borno State Government and is designed to provide comfortable accommodation for patients’ relatives and visitors, many of whom travel long distances to access medical care.

The handover of the patients’ apartment is the latest in Zulum’s interventions at UMTH. The governor had previously presented a N100 million check to support the hospital’s funding gaps for medical consumables and other needs. He also constructed 24 three-bedroom apartments for medical staff to reduce housing shortages and keep doctors closer to patients.

In addition, Zulum has ordered the release of N1 billion in financial support to facilitate kidney transplant and maternal health services at the hospital. He also provided a N500 million intervention following the 2024 flood disaster.

Beyond UMTH, Zulum has extended similar support to other federal government agencies in Borno State. He distributed thousands of patrol vehicles to security agencies and formations to boost security across the state.

Zulum constructed housing quarters and provided several facilities and infrastructure at the University of Maiduguri.

He also approved hundreds of millions in takeoff grants for the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Azare; the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno; and the Federal College of Education, Gwoza.

The chief medical director of UMTH, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, expressed gratitude to the governor and commended him for his relentless support.

The governor was accompanied by the Acting Chief of Staff, Dr. Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe; commissioners; special advisers; and several senior government officials.

Zulum builds, hands over a 42-room patients’ apartment to UMTH

Operation Hadin Kai neutralises 152 terrorists, arrests 142 in August

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have recorded major operational successes across the North-East theatre, neutralising 152 terrorists and arresting 142 others, including suspected logistics suppliers, during operations conducted between Aug. 1 and 31, 2026.

The latest operational figures indicate sustained pressure by the joint security forces against terrorist groups, their logistics networks and mobility capabilities across the theatre.

According to the monthly operational summary, 219 terrorists also surrendered to the troops during the period, a development the military said reflects the continued degradation of terrorist networks and growing willingness among some fighters to abandon the insurgency.

The troops also conducted 10 successful air interdictions in support of ground operations, targeting terrorist movements and logistics activities in different locations within the theatre.

The air operations complemented sustained ground offensives aimed at disrupting terrorist formations, supply routes and freedom of movement.

During the period under review, troops also neutralised nine improvised explosive devices (IEDs), thereby denying terrorist elements the opportunity to use the devices against military personnel and civilians.

The troops recovered 58 weapons and explosive items, as well as 1,184 rounds of ammunition during various operations.

The recoveries are expected to further degrade the firepower and operational capacity of terrorist elements operating in the North-East.

The troops also recovered 16 mobility assets, including motorcycles, bicycles, tricycles and other vehicles reportedly linked to terrorist activities.

Other items recovered during the operations included 44 mobile phones, a video camcorder and N1,794,910 in cash, among other materials.

The military’s monthly operational assessment indicated that the recoveries of communication devices, mobility assets and cash were significant in disrupting the logistics and communication networks supporting terrorist operations.

The surrender of 219 terrorists also represents another important aspect of the campaign, as the development could provide security agencies with additional intelligence on terrorist structures, hideouts, supply networks and operational activities.

The August operations combined kinetic actions, including ground offensives and air interdictions, with non-kinetic measures aimed at encouraging surrender and separating terrorist elements from their support and logistics networks.

The sustained operational tempo, according to the figures, has placed considerable pressure on terrorist personnel, weapons stocks, mobility and logistics capabilities across the theatre.

The development comes as Operation HADIN KAI continues its counter-insurgency campaign to degrade Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements and restore security across affected communities in the North-East.

The August figures underscore the continued coordination between ground troops and air assets in disrupting terrorist activities while enhancing the ability of security forces to deny insurgents freedom of action across the theatre.

Operation Hadin Kai neutralises 152 terrorists, arrests 142 in August