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NHRC Asks Government to Stop Criminalizing Protest
NHRC Asks Government to Stop Criminalizing Protest
…Condemns Use of Massive Force by Law Enforcement Against During #EndBadGovernance Protest
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the federal government and its law enforcement agencies to prepare for next protest rather than work at stopping it and criminalizing those organising the planned nationwide protest scheduled for October 1.
The Commission, while stating that protest is an expression of one of the human rights that is international recognized, insisted that since the government has been given enough notice, it is the duty of law enforcement agencies to ensure that strategies are put in place to prevent hoodlums do not hijack it and criminality is checked against during the period of the protest.
It also condemned the blatant use of force and disregard for the rights to peaceful protest and assembly, freedom of expression and other associated rights exhibited by law enforcement agencies during the #EndBadGovernance protest held across the country last month.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu who disclosed this on Friday, while presenting the human rights situation dashboard, lamented that the action of security and law enforcement agencies led to tragic incidents of violence and loss of lives.
He said, such actions represent a stark violation of the fundamental human rights of the Nigerian people, calling for unequivocal condemnation and justice.
According to the NHRC boss, who was represented at the event by his Special Assistant and the head of human rights monitoring of the Commission, Mr. Benedict Agu, the #EndBadGovernance protest was a bold expression of the masses’ demand for accountability and good governance.
Ojukwu,, said, the issue of displacement in the country is affecting countless individuals and communities adding that, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that, about 208,655 persons have been displaced in 22 states this year already, a stark increase from 2023 numbers.
He said that: “It is therefore imperative that government takes immediate and sustainable actions to address this pressing issue, ensuring the protection and well-being of all those affected by displacement and taking steps to avert the effects of flooding and other sources of displacement”.
The NHRC boss said, the Commission’s monthly human rights dashboard serves as a critical tool in assessing the state of human rights in the country, providing invaluable insights and data that demands attention and action.
Presenting July and August, 2024 human rights assessment dashboard of the Commission, the Senior Human Rights Adviser to the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Mr. Hillary Ogbona said, over 1, 200 people who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protest last month have so far been arrested and detained by security agencies across the country.
While the Commission lamented that some of the protesters have been charged to court, it however noted with grave concern that they were detained beyond the period allowed by law before been taken to court.
According to the dashboard, a total of 414, 200 complaints of human rights abuses were received by the Commission across the country in the last two months, insisting that protest is not a crime but a legitimate way of expressing grievance against unfavourable government policies and programmes.
Ogbona said: “Government should not attempt to stop protest but to guide it. At the same time, Government should not lump genuine protesters with criminals. You don’t arrest and detain people for protest.
“Looting and destruction of properties are not protest but act of criminalities which should not be regarded as part of peaceful protests.
“From this side, it is a fact that private and public properties were looted during the last protest and we hereby appealed to government to identify and evaluate the losses of victims for the purpose of supporting them, as some of the victims may not be able to rise again”, he added.
He appealed to Government to adopt human rights approach to lawful protest and that, Government should endeavour to look into the root cause of protests and discontents in the country, which he said may not be far from economic and political situation in the country.
The Commission also called on governments at all level to increase their capacity to protect lives and properties of the people.
He revealed that the Commission is monitoring the trial of the protesters in court, adding that, in charging them with treason, government must bring up believable evidences against them.
According to Ogbona, the Commission had, in the last two months, witnessed astronomical increase in mass killings, abductions, attacks on Police stations, attacks on press freedom, violation of the rights of association and assembly, killing of law enforcement and members of the Armed Forces, cases of violence against children, minors and child abandonment.
He said, between July and August, the Commission recorded a total of 365 cases of kidnapping, 340 killings, 4,300 cases of child abandonment and killings of 37 security and law enforcement agents adding further that, a total of 142 killings were recorded in Kaduna, 137 in in Benue, Katsina recorded 112 killings and 76 killings recorded in Plateau state.
NHRC Asks Government to Stop Criminalizing Protest
Chillariye speaks on reconciliation between Ngizimawa and Karai-karai tribes in Yobe
By: Yahaya Wakili
The chairman of the reconciliation committee between Ngizimawa and Karai-karai and adviser on nongovernmental affairs to Governor Mai Mala Buni, CON, Alhaji Adamu Abdu Chillariye, has said that about 85% out of 100 of the reconciliation was successfully achieved.
Chillariye started this when the leaders of Ngizimawa from Mamudo constituents (Yanki Shida), led by Hon. Saidu Arjali, called on him to brief them on the progress so far. He said, Now we will arrange how we would meet together to discuss what worries us.
He calls on individuals who have an interest in this move to make their own contribution by enlightening the people on peace living, adding that the unity of Ngizimawa and Karai-karai is the unity of all the tribes in Yobe State.
“Lack of unity of these two major tribes in the Yobe South Senatorial District is worrying some of the people of the zone as well as destabilizing the politics of the zone. Therefore, we are now trying to build the permanent relationship with Stone to be very strong so that it will not break down again,” Adamu Chillariye said.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegates, Hon. Saidu Arjali, senior liaison officer to Governor Mai Mala Buni, said the reason why we come here is to bring peace and harmony between our tribes Ngizimawa and Karai-karai people.
“Because we are the majority in the zone, especially in Potiskum, and we are scattered by some political leaders, that is why we want to unite ourselves in order to help our governor in the next coming elections and also to fulfill his promises to the people during the last 2023 campaign,” Arjali said.
According to Arjali, “Our governor is trying his own ability, so being Karai-karai and Ngizimawa have been scattered for a long time, and our people have some votes for another party, some have not even voted; therefore, we call on our people not to vote for another party or refuse to vote in the next elections.
Chillariye speaks on reconciliation between Ngizimawa and Karai-karai tribes in Yobe
Zulum Announces Scholarship to Female Indigenes with JAMB Score of 250 and Above
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced scholarship to Borno female indigenes who scored 250 and above in the 2025 Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Zulum made the announcement on Saturday at the inauguration ceremony of new executive members of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) Maiduguri Chapter and scholarship programme to 12 female students by wife of the governor at the Government House, Maiduguri.
The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) is a platform that provides mentorship and advocacy for gender inclusion in engineering, promote the advancement of women in engineering and inspire young girls to pursue careers in science and technology.
The governor assured that his administration will continue to support girl child education and sponsor more women to study medical and technical education.
“In order to encourage girl child education in the state, I want to announce that all female indigenes of the state that have scored 250 and above in JAMB would be sponsored by the Borno State government to either study technical/vocational education or Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses,” Zulum announced.
The governor then directed the acting Chief of Staff, the state scholarship board, Ministry of Education and APWEN, Maiduguri chapter, to identify and screen those that met the criteria to benifit from the scholarship.
He commended his wife for the scholarship programme and congratulated the outgoing and incoming chairperson for their commitment towards promoting the engineering profession.
In a paper titled: The role of Mentorship in Encouraging Girls to pursue Engineering Careers in Nigeria, wife of the governor, Dr Habiba Babagana Zulum, observed that mentosrship is a tool for personal and professional development, noting that women in Nigeria make only 14% of STEM work force, stressing that excluding more than 50% of the population in nation building is counter-productive.
“Mentorship is critical to shaping the minds and future of upcoming generations, identify inspiring role modelling, breaking stereotype, guidance and support, overcoming obstacles, building confidence and skills, critical thinking and creativity, networking and opportunities, access to resources and opportunities as aspects that encourage mentorship,” Dr Habiba stressed.
The outgoing Chairperson of APWEN, Engr Kori Shettima, said the association has worked tirelessly to create a platform that fosters innovation, mentorship, advocacy and collaboration with the aim of paving the way for future generations of female.
“I am proud of the progress we have made, the lives we have touched and the young minds we have inspired. Our advocacy for girl child education in STEM has been a beacon of hope, illuminating paths to a brighter future,” Kori stated.
Highpoint of the ceremony was the inauguration of the 4th APWEN Chairperson, Engr. Hajju Tijjani Gazali, and award of scholarship of N200,000 to six best female pupils of Wulari primary school, Maiduguri, and N300,000 to six best science students in Federal Government Girls College, Monguno.
Zulum Announces Scholarship to Female Indigenes with JAMB Score of 250 and Above
Gunmen kill community leader, three others in Anambra terrorist attack
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed men suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its Eastern Security Network (ESN) have attacked a residence in Isseke community of Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, killing a prominent community leader and three women.
Zagazola Makama understands that the incident, which occurred at about 1:00 p.m. on Friday, was reported by the President General of Mbosi town, Hon. Pastor Azuka Innocent Okolie.
The the assailants stormed the residence of Ichie Kennedy Igboanugo, also known as Ichie Akurou-Ulo 1, in Ekwuru village an area described as heavily infiltrated by IPOB/ESN operatives and fatally shot him and the three female victims, whose identities are yet to be confirmed.
Security forces have been deployed to the area to restore calm and pursue the perpetrators.
The motive for the killings remains unclear, but security agencies suspect it may be linked to IPOB’s ongoing campaign of violence in the South-East.
Gunmen kill community leader, three others in Anambra terrorist attack
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Chillariye speaks on reconciliation between Ngizimawa and Karai-karai tribes in Yobe
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