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FG Reaffirms Commitment to Uphold Rights of Inmates
FG Reaffirms Commitment to Uphold Rights of Inmates
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to uphold the rights and dignity of all persons in held behind bars.
The commitment was made on Thursday in Abuja by the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo during the Commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day 2025 and the presentation of the audit report of six custodial centres across the North-East.
The Minister, who was represented at the event sponsored by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) by the Director, Joint Services, Federal Ministry of Interior, Nasiru Usman, said holding discussion on prison reforms on Nelson Mandela Day is profoundly symbolic as late South African President’s legacy reminds us that justice, dignity, and humanity must remain central to how we treat even those behind bars.
He said: “Let me reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of all persons in custody, in line with the Nigerian Constitution and our international obligations. The Nelson Mandela Rules which is the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners remains a central reference point for our correctional policies and reforms.”
He noted: “Today’s presentation of the prison audit report marks a critical milestone. Evidence-based assessments such as this are essential for shaping effective and humane correctional reforms. The audit of six custodial centres across the North-East provides a clear picture of the current realities within our facilities and will serve as a vital tool in informing policy, guiding resource allocation, and strengthening future collaborations.
He said: “We commend UNODC’s broader interventions in our correctional system, including the training of correctional officers and support for non-custodial measures and legal aid. These efforts contribute meaningfully to the professionalization and humanization of our correctional system.
“Particularly commendable is the initiative to establish inmate product display shops in select custodial centres. This innovative project aligns with our goal of equipping inmates with vocational skills, fostering economic empowerment, and changing public perceptions of incarcerated individuals. It is a vital step forward in enabling successful reintegration.”
He said: “As we move forward, I urge sustained multi-sectoral collaboration. Correctional reform cannot be achieved by government alone. It requires coordinated action across civil society, the private sector, and legal institutions. We must invest more in rehabilitation programmes, community-based alternatives to incarceration, and reintegration support.
“The Ministry remains fully committed to enhancing custodial conditions, promoting data-driven decision-making, digitizing inmate records, and ensuring proper classification and case management, especially for vulnerable groups such as women, juveniles, and persons with mental health challenges.”
The Minister called on all stakeholders present to continue working together to transform our correctional system into one that reflects the values of justice and humanity, streaking that: “Let us treat every inmate not as a burden or statistic, but as a human being capable of reform and reintegration.
“Let this Mandela Day renew our collective resolve to build a correctional system that protects society, respects human rights, and gives every individual a chance at redemption.”
In her welcome address, United Nations Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator and Designated Official a.i, Ms. Elsie Attafuah said: “We stand here today, united on Nelson Mandela International Day, a day that ignites our shared vow to justice, dignity, and human rights, especially in the shadows of prisons. At its core shines the Nelson Mandela Rules, forged in 2015 as the renewed United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. These aren’t mere words: they forge a bold, rights-driven blueprint for corrections everywhere, rooting every moment of imprisonment in respect, responsibility, renewal, and return to society. Demanding openness, unbiased watchdogs, and safeguards for the fragile, the Mandela Rules echo the United Nations Common Position on Incarceration: liberty’s loss must forever be our absolute last choice.”
She noted that at the core of the audit are identifying areas for immediate improvement in custodial conditions and recommending actionable steps to protect inmate welfare; Generating data to inform targeted justice sector reforms, including profiling pretrial detainees and mapping gaps in legal representation, and ensuring systematic alignment of Nigerian correctional practices with the Mandela Rules to drive progressive compliance with global human rights standards.”
She disclosed that the findings of the audit which will be discussed today presents clear evidence of both progress and remaining challenges. As of July 2025, Nigeria’s custodial centres hold 81,686 inmates, with 66 percent (53,713 inmates) still awaiting trial. This figure reflects a meaningful decline from 70 percent in July 2024, underscoring the impact of enhanced legal aid, the expanded use of non-custodial options, and improvements in case management.
She however added that: “As we dive into these truths, remember: rebuilding lives and weaving them back into society isn’t just the warden’s burden, it’s our collective call to rally businesses, schools, and neighborhoods. Together, we carve jobs and futures, arming the released with tools to reinsert himself to society as a law abiding citizen. Let’s weave a web of welcome that shatters prison walls, nurturing forgiveness for those chasing second chances.”
End
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Nigeria aims at strengthening conflict-sensitive climate adaptation

Nigeria aims at strengthening conflict-sensitive climate adaptation
By: Michael Michael
The Federal Ministry of Environment, through its Department of Climate Change, in collaboration with the NAP Global Network, has launched an inception workshop aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity for conflict-sensitive climate adaptation while unveiling a new report on integrating peacebuilding into the country’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process.
The event, held in Abuja, brought together senior government officials, development partners, security experts, and representatives from various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). It marked a critical step in mainstreaming conflict-sensitivity into Nigeria’s climate policies and development planning.
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the Director, Department of Climate Change, Dr. Mrs. Eviano Aguirre-Awe, Deputy Director Johanna Baruge stressed the urgency of addressing climate impacts that are increasingly exacerbating insecurity across Nigeria.
“Climate change is already driving extreme weather events, threatening biodiversity, damaging infrastructure, and fueling security challenges.
While mitigation efforts continue, adaptation is equally crucial so that we can adjust systems without undermining daily life,” she said.
She explained that Nigeria’s ongoing NAP formulation will provide a medium to long-term strategy for addressing climate vulnerabilities in a transparent and participatory manner.
Representing the NAP Global Network, Ms. Katrina underscored the importance of linking adaptation with peacebuilding.
“Unpredictable rainfall, rising temperatures, and resource stress often intersect with social and political tensions. If poorly managed, these pressures can worsen inequalities and deepen conflicts.
But if addressed thoughtfully, they can foster cooperation, dialogue, and peace,” she noted, adding that Nigeria’s leadership in this space sets an example for other countries grappling with similar challenges.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, in his opening remarks, recalled Nigeria’s commitment under international agreements such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, highlighting the country’s pledge under its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 47% with international support.
He explained that beyond mitigation, Nigeria’s NAP process—supported by the Green Climate Fund—is focusing on adaptation strategies in 13 thematic areas, including climate risk and vulnerability assessments, to strengthen community resilience.
He emphasized that conflict-sensitivity is vital, given Nigeria’s security challenges such as farmer-herder clashes, cattle rustling, and banditry.
“Ignoring medium and long-term adaptation needs in a fragile, conflict-prone context would be a mistake.
Climate action, if conflict-sensitive, can break cycles of fragility by tackling root causes, improving social well-being, and promoting peace,” he said.
The new report launched at the workshop outlines practical guidance for integrating peacebuilding into adaptation processes, identifying enabling factors such as leadership, data, financing, institutional arrangements, stakeholder engagement, and skills development.
Stakeholders were urged to provide meaningful input into the materials being developed and to ensure that climate activities undertaken by their institutions are conflict-sensitive.
The workshop concluded with a call for stronger collaboration, capacity building, and inclusive approaches that position Nigeria as a global leader in linking climate resilience with peacebuilding.
Nigeria aims at strengthening conflict-sensitive climate adaptation
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Armed men ambush patrol team, kill guard in Benue

Armed men ambush patrol team, kill guard in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
A member of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard has been killed following an ambush by armed men in Guma Local Government Area of the state.
Zagazola Makama report that the attack occurred on Aug. 25 at about 6:30 p.m. along Uikpam–Umenger road, when military personnel and the Civil Protection Guard were on joint patrol.
Sources disclosed that the patrol team came under ambush by gunmen suspected to be armed herders.
“One victim, identified as Terna Ioryoosu of Umenger village and attached to the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, was shot dead in the attack,”said sources.
The sources said security operatives were mobilised to the scene. The corpse was recovered, photographed, and later released to family members.
Armed men ambush patrol team, kill guard in Benue
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Gunmen abduct driver conveying corpse in Kogi

Gunmen abduct driver conveying corpse in Kogi
By: Zagazola Makama
Gunmen have abducted a driver who was conveying a corpse in a vehicle along Ojodu Ojakeshi area of Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi.
Sources said that security operatives received a distress call on Tuesday evening that a blue Golf 2 car had been abandoned on the road.
It said that when security operatives, including army troops, police personnel and local hunters, mobilised to the scene, they discovered the vehicle with a corpse inside a casket.
“Two of the three occupants of the vehicle managed to escape from the abductors and later informed the police that they were transporting the corpse from Kwara to Benue when the hoodlums stopped them.
“The assailants whisked away the driver while leaving the corpse and the vehicle behind,” it added.
Bush combing operation is ongoing to rescue the victim and arrest the perpetrators.
End
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