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NHRC Boss Seeks Safe Environment For Women, Children
NHRC Boss Seeks Safe Environment For Women, Children
By, Michael Mike
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu has said all hands must be on deck to provide a safe environment for women and children to live in.
Speaking on Monday in Abuja against the backdrop of the killing of Hanifa Abubakar, a five year old pupil by the head teacher of her school, Ojukwu disclosed that in January alone the Commission has received so many complaints of heinous acts of human rights abuse meted on women and children across the country, “and we are just in the first month of the year, this is alarming” he added.
The NHRC Executive Secretary, while expressing his disappointment in the attitude of those who are entrusted with the safety of this vulnerable group of people but turn around to betray the trust,
called on perpetrators of violence against women and children to desist from the dastardly act, saying women and children need protection from all forms of harm.
The human rights disclosed that “presently we are making our interventions in several cases including the case of a man who allegedly murdered his three children in Enugu, the unfortunate incident of Hanifa who was also allegedly murdered by her handlers in cold blood in Kano, the case of Oromoni and several others across the states,” we will follow all these cases to logical conclusions and ensure that justice is served.”
The Executive Secretary also revealed that the commission has commenced intense investigation into the case of alleged rape and subsequent death of one 16-year-old Hajafani Aisha Umar in Borno. He lamented that women and children are being treated like endangered species by their abusers.
He said the Commission was shocked when the identity of the alleged rapist was made known, “Imagine, how can a humanitarian worker who is expected to provide protection for persons under his care allegedly behave in such a barbaric way? This is most unfortunate and unacceptable ”.
He disclosed that the Borno state office is in receipt of a formal complaint submitted by the family of the deceased, “this case and several others brought to us must not be swept under the carpet as we will investigate, unravel the truth and ensure that perpetrators are brought to book” he said.
The learned silk stressed that “we have directed our state coordinators to follow every step of the required investigations in all these cases and report back to the headquarters. We will give them all the support they need and we are calling all relevant stakeholders to give us their cooperation and support as well”.
“The Commission is grateful to all stakeholders who have cooperated with the commission both within the government and civil society to deal with these heinous violations of human rights. We continue to count on your maximum cooperation,” Ojukwu further said.
He lamented that despite the commission’s effort to consistently campaign against the monster of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) across the country, including the establishment of SGBV panel which heard cases in the six geopolitical zones of the country, the scourge is still on the rise. “On our part, we will leave no stone unturned in bringing perpetrators to book which will serve as a deterrent to intending abusers”
In another development, the NHRC boss has condemned the attack on one Jubril Sadi Mato (Ramadan), an 11-year-old Pre-Junior Student of Elkanemi College of Islamic Theology Maiduguri.
Ojukwu revealed that the commission has also commenced investigation into this matter. “I cannot imagine why a student would want to slit the throat of a fellow student with a razor blade, what justification does he have for engaging in this wanton torture? “There is no reason for this form of human rights violation by anyone, big or small. This unfortunately shows how conscience and the sense of empathy of even young people have been brutalized by the constant violence in the polity.
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The visibly sad Senior Advocate expressed his displeasure at the incessant violent attacks on children who are kept under the custody of school authorities. He said “The incidence of violence against children in schools is alarming and on the increase all over the country, today it is Silvester, tomorrow Hanifa and the next Jubril, we need to make children feel safe and have confidence in our school system and the society to protect them.
While calling on school authorities to take seriously the responsibility of protection of students in their care, he urged the government to place serious sanctions on schools with records of human rights violations including child abuse and molestation as this could help protect the right to education of children wherever they may be. The commission will commence monitoring schools to ensure the protection of the rights of children to education. Schools who constantly have a bad record of inadequate protection mechanisms for children will be blacklisted by the Commission. Schools are expected to have in place SGBV guidelines and policies for the protection of children within their care, Ojukwu said.
Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
A renewed chieftaincy tussle in Muye village, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, has sparked violent confrontations between rival supporters, prompting swift intervention by security operatives.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the crisis began around 6:20 p.m. on Thursday when the deposed village head, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulkadir Maigari II, forcefully returned to Muye and broke into the palace.
The incident provoked tension among residents, especially after supporters of the current Dakachi confronted the deposed monarch. The situation was immediately brought under control by a team of security personnel from Lapai.
However, Zagazola learnt that the situation escalated on Friday morning when supporters of both camps clashed again, leading to a free-for-all fight that disrupted public peace in the community.
Security sources were swiftly deployed to Muye to restore normalcy.
“The combined security teams have brought the situation under control. Monitoring and surveillance operations are ongoing to prevent further breakdown of law and order,” the source said.
No casualties or arrests have been officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report.
Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger
Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony
By: Michael Mike
Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress.
The advice was given by the Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, in his message on Eid-el-Kabir.
The Institute, while extending warm greetings to Nigerians, wished them a joyous and peaceful celebration, marked by love, compassion, and unity.
The Institute while noting that Sallah is a significant occasion in the Islamic calendar, symbolizing the values of sacrifice, gratitude, and community, emphasized that the spirit of Sallah should guide Nigerians in their interactions with one another, fostering a culture of peace, tolerance, and understanding.
The IPCR urged Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress, while
encouraging individuals to embrace the values of Sallah, including forgiveness, empathy, and kindness, in their daily lives.
According to IPCR, peace is critical to promoting national stability and cohesion.
The Institute also urged Nigerians to use this period of Sallah celebration to address conflicts and promote dialogue, which could help to build trust and understanding among Nigerians and also contribute to a more peaceful society.
It recognized that the country’s many ethnic and religious groups can work together to build a more harmonious society, celebrating their differences and promoting a culture of tolerance.
End
Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing
By: Michael Mike
A community leader and the Waziri Mushere of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Chief Yohana Margif has expressed dismay over the incessant killing of innocent citizens of the community.
Margif made this known in an interview with journalists on Thursday in Abuja.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene to halt what he described as genocide against the people, which he said was being perpetrated by suspected herdsmen.
Margif also called on Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, and other security chiefs in the country, to rein in the alleged culprits.
He said: “I would like to draw the attention of the topmost leadership in Nigeria to the deteriorating dire security situation in Plateau, particularly in Mushere Chiefdom of Bokkos LGA.
“I urge President Tinubu to take immediate decisive action to halt these endless and senseless killings, protect lives and properties, and secure the future of the Mushere people, and other victims of obvious genocide against the people.
“Herdsmen are killing our innocent people, burning their homes, looting their foodstuff, property, livestock, and taking over their ancestral lands,” he said.
According to the Abuja-based real estate mogul, the attacks and attendant killings have intensified recently since the onset of this year’s farming season.
Margif further said that the people had been displaced from their villages and ancestral homes and were forced to become internally displaced persons in the country.
He emphasised that the situation required immediate intervention by all stakeholders in order to prevent further escalation and inflict an irredeemable harm by wiping out the entire community from the surface of the earth.
He lamented that: “Since President Tinubu’s administration began, Plateau State has witnessed an unprecedented escalation of violence and loss of lives.
“This is the current sad reality. Our people are constantly under the threat of the enemy’s bullets and can’t sleep with two eyes closed due to the perpetual unleashing of violence against them by external forces.
“Something urgent must be done to stem the tide of violence and end this war against the people in order not to
harm this administration’s reputation,” Margif said.
In the past couple of days, suspected herdsmen militia killed no fewer than 35 people in the localities of Hokk, Pangkap, Fokoldep, Kopmur, Margif, Horop, Mbor, Mushere and Kwahas localities in Mushere Chiefdom.
Chairman, Bokkos Community Peace Observers, Kefas Mallai, who confirmed the killings to newsmen, said the victims included a 70-year-old Pastor of COCIN LCC Kwakas-Mushere, Mimang Lekyil, who was attacked and killed in the church.
He said that the pastor’s wife was also shot in the leg and was admitted at the Jos University Teaching Hospital for treatment, he said.
“Bokkos has never been this insecure, with the people being butchered as we are currently witnessing,” Lilian Madaki, from the Mushere community told journalists.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Emmanuel Adesina, also confirmed the incident in a statement saying security forces including police and military personnel, had been deployed in the affected communities.
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