Human Rights Violation; NHRC, Police Collaborate to Prosecute Offenders

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission has joined forces with the Nigeria Police Force to confront rising concerns over human rights abuses, launching a high-level town hall engagement in the Federal Capital Territory aimed at entrenching accountability, professionalism, and rights-based policing.

The strategic dialogue brought together top police officials, human rights experts, and civil society actors to chart a clear path toward ending impunity, strengthening oversight, and restoring public trust in law enforcement institutions.

Representing the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, Chief Superintendent of Police, Head of the Police Ng CRU, CSP Anietie Okokon Iniedu,delivered a strong message of reform, acknowledging public outcry over misconduct and pledging decisive action to ensure officers operate strictly within the law.

“I have heard the cries of many Nigerians, and we are putting measures together to ensure that this administration will end impunity,” he said, stressing that internal oversight mechanisms, including the Complaints Response Unit (CRU), have been strengthened to enforce compliance with human rights standards and international obligations.

He assured that resolutions from the town hall would go beyond rhetoric, revealing plans to institutionalise the outcomes across all police formations nationwide—from Force Headquarters to divisional commands—ensuring reforms are fully implemented and sustained.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, underscored the urgency of sustained collaboration, capacity building, and institutional discipline to curb violations within policing structures.

He warned that despite the existence of robust legal frameworks such as the Police Act 2020 and the Police Regulations 2025, enforcement remains weak at operational levels, allowing abuses such as unlawful detention, excessive force, and denial of legal representation to persist.

“Human rights are not ordinary privileges; they are fundamental constitutional guarantees that must guide every action of law enforcement agencies,” Ojukwu stated, emphasising that respect for these rights is the foundation of a just and civilised society.

Director of Civil and Political Rights at the Commission, Halilu Adamu, explained that the town hall was designed to move human rights compliance from theory to daily policing practice within the FCT.

He highlighted key reform priorities, including strengthening legal awareness among officers, enforcing due process in arrests and interrogations, and mandating the electronic recording of statements alongside the presence of legal counsel to eliminate coerced confessions.

Experts at the session also stressed the importance of aligning policing practices with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), noting that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done without violating citizens’ rights.

Presentations at the forum exposed recurring abuses such as arbitrary arrests, prolonged detention without trial, and poor documentation of cases—practices that continue to erode public confidence and expose the system to legal consequences.

Participants called for stronger accountability mechanisms, including improved record-keeping, regular judicial inspections, and active oversight by magistrates and human rights bodies. They also emphasised detainees’ rights to healthcare, legal counsel, and communication with family members.

The town hall marks a critical step in ongoing reform efforts, with both the Commission and the Police vowing to translate dialogue into concrete action.

With growing public demand for justice and transparency, stakeholders say the success of the initiative will ultimately depend on sustained enforcement, institutional discipline, and a clear commitment to uphold the rule of law at every level of policing in Nigeria.

Human Rights Violation; NHRC, Police Collaborate to Prosecute Offenders

FG Raises Flood Alarm Across 10 States, Urges Immediate Precautionary Measures

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Ministry of Environment has issued a fresh flood warning covering at least ten states, cautioning that sustained heavy rainfall over several days could trigger flooding in vulnerable communities.

The alert, released by the Ministry’s Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department through the National Flood Early Warning Centre (NFEWS), indicates that parts of the country may experience intense rainfall between April 13 and April 17, 2026, with a high likelihood of overflow in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

According to the advisory, the states identified as being at risk include Adamawa, Enugu, Kaduna, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, and Taraba. Authorities listed specific locations within these states where flooding could occur if rainfall intensity exceeds normal thresholds.

In Adamawa State, Ganye and Gbalji are among the areas expected to be affected, while Nsukka in Enugu State also falls within the risk zone. In Kaduna State, communities such as Buruku, Kachia, Kaduna, and Kafanchan have been highlighted.

The warning further identified Ibaji in Kogi State and Bode-Sadu and Ilorin in Kwara State as vulnerable locations. In Niger State, Chanchaga, Minna, and Sarkin Pawa were listed, while Osun State communities including Ilesa, Iragbiji, Oshogbo, and Otan Ayegbaju may also face flooding.

A significant number of areas in Oyo State, particularly within Ibadan, were mentioned in the forecast. These include Apata, Bodija, Challenge, Eleyele, Moniya, Odo-Ona, and Ojoo, all of which have historically experienced drainage challenges during heavy rainfall. Bukuru in Plateau State and Serti in Taraba State were also identified as areas of concern.

The Ministry emphasized that the predicted flooding could disrupt livelihoods, damage infrastructure, and pose risks to lives if adequate precautions are not taken. It therefore urged residents in the affected areas to clear drainage systems, avoid building or residing along waterways, and prepare for possible evacuation where necessary.

Relevant stakeholders, including state governments, emergency management agencies, and local authorities, were advised to activate contingency plans and strengthen early response mechanisms. The Ministry also encouraged continuous public awareness campaigns to ensure that residents remain informed and responsive to safety directives.

In addition, the government called for collaboration and feedback from stakeholders to improve coordination and response efforts during the forecast period.

The advisory was endorsed by Usman Abdullahi Bokani, Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, who reiterated the importance of early preparedness in reducing the impact of natural disasters.

The latest warning underscores growing concerns over seasonal flooding in Nigeria, particularly as climate variability continues to intensify rainfall patterns and increase the frequency of extreme weather events across the country.

FG Raises Flood Alarm Across 10 States, Urges Immediate Precautionary Measures

UNESCO, CWAY Seal Landmark Pact to Transform Adolescent Health, Inclusive Education for Over One Million Nigerian Learners

By: Michael Mike

In a significant move poised to reshape adolescent development in Nigeria, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has partnered with CWAY Group to roll out a large-scale initiative targeting improved health outcomes and inclusive learning for young people across key states.

The programme, titled “Strengthening Adolescent Health and Inclusive Learning,” will be implemented in Enugu, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos, and Ogun States, with an ambitious target of reaching more than one million learners.

At the signing ceremony in Abuja, UNESCO’s Head of Office and Country Representative, Jean-Paul Ngome Abiaga, framed the agreement as a defining step beyond institutional collaboration.

“This is not just a formal agreement; it is a commitment to expanding opportunity, safeguarding dignity, and securing a better future for adolescents,” he said.

Abiaga outlined three strategic pillars underpinning the partnership—deepened inclusion, the integration of health and education, and sustained multi-stakeholder collaboration—emphasizing that equitable access must remain central to the initiative.

“Inclusion is not optional. Every adolescent—regardless of gender, ability, or background—must have access to quality education and the health knowledge required to thrive,” he stressed.

He further underscored the critical link between health and learning, noting that the initiative would deploy evidence-driven interventions to simultaneously address both sectors. According to him, empowering adolescents with the right information and support systems will enable them to make informed life choices and contribute meaningfully to society.

On the private sector’s role, Abiaga commended CWAY Group for demonstrating leadership through impactful corporate social responsibility, describing the collaboration as a model for purposeful investment in national development.

Speaking on behalf of CWAY, Deputy Director Moses Wang said the company’s involvement reflects a long-standing commitment to community advancement.

“We began with the community, and this initiative brings us back to our roots on a much larger scale. It is an opportunity to drive meaningful change across the country,” Wang said.

He added that after more than two decades in Nigeria’s manufacturing industry, the company is intensifying its focus on education and health as pillars of sustainable growth. “No nation can develop without educating its youth and safeguarding their health. This partnership enables us to address both in a structured and lasting way,” he noted.

Also lending her voice, the Secretary-General of the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO, Olagunju Lateef, described the initiative as a reflection of shared responsibility among stakeholders to invest in Nigeria’s young population.

Represented by the Head of Education Sector, Mrs. Eunice Ayara, she expressed optimism that the collaboration would deliver tangible benefits, particularly for marginalized groups.

“This effort signals a collective resolve to equip adolescents with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to succeed, especially those who are often left behind,” she said.

The initiative is expected to strengthen inclusive education systems, expand access to reliable health information, and foster stronger partnerships among government agencies, educators, and local communities. Notably, at least 1,000 learners with disabilities are among those set to benefit directly, underscoring the project’s inclusive focus.

As implementation gets underway, stakeholders have been urged to maintain transparency, accountability, and long-term commitment to ensure the programme delivers measurable and sustainable impact.

With its scale and ambition, the UNESCO–CWAY partnership signals a renewed push to place adolescent well-being at the centre of Nigeria’s development agenda—bridging gaps in education and health while shaping a more inclusive future for the next generation.

UNESCO, CWAY Seal Landmark Pact to Transform Adolescent Health, Inclusive Education for Over One Million Nigerian Learners