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NHRC Calls for an End in Torture by Security Agencies

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NHRC Calls for an End in Torture by Security Agencies

NHRC Calls for an End in Torture by Security Agencies

…. Asks Government to Put Mechanism in Place Against Terrorism, Banditry

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission NHRC has spoken against torture by security and other law enforcement officials in the country on citizens.

The Commission called on government and stakeholders at all levels to work harder to ensure that torture, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment  meted out on citizens by security and law enforcement personnel is completely eradicated in the society, even as it called on government to immediately put mechanism in place to check against terrorism, kidnapping and armed banditry.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, made the call in Abuja during the celebration of the 2022 International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. 

Speaking at the weekend at the event commemorating the day that is observed globally on 26 June every year, the Executive Secretary called on security agencies to desist from any form of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment while carrying out their operations, urging them to embrace international best practices in conducting investigations which according to him gives high regard to respect for human rights. 

Ojukwu equally expressed concern over private citizens’ involvement in this ugly practice, describing it as deeply disturbing to the Commission.

Also Read: FG restates commitment to support NYSC scheme, corps…

According to him, “the international event is significant because it provides the opportunity to reassess the conduct of law enforcement agencies, groups, and individuals in order to ensure that they operate within the ambit of national, regional, or international law.

While expressing worries over the spate of torture and other related human rights violations which comes in various forms especially police brutality, domestic violence, assault, rape, kidnap, etc., the Learned Silk lamented that “although Nigeria has ratified several major international human rights treaties and has also passed the Anti- Torture Act 2017 into law, torture still remains a tool used by security agents for interrogating and intimidating suspects “.

He lamented that violation of the right to freedom from torture and ill-treatment has remained one of Nigeria’s highest recorded human rights violations. He said: “A good number of the complaints treated by the Commission during the Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Human Rights Violations by  Officers of the disbanded Special  Anti-Robbery Squad and other Units of the Nigeria Police relates to several incidents of torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment by the Police, our records are there to show.”

He further stated that the Commission has conducted several trainings and developed manuals on mainstreaming human rights in the operations of the law enforcement officials including those involved in counter-insurgency operations in the northeast. Similarly, he said the Commission has embarked on a series of advocacy visits and conducted inspections in detention facilities across the country to ensure that their operations are in line with international human rights standards.

He added that: “Where we are not satisfied with what we observe, we make recommendations to appropriate authorities for improvement.”

He equally called on the government to up its game in providing the needed security to everyone living in Nigeria in order to protect them from falling victims of the dreaded kidnap activities which have recently become the order of the day, expressing concern that many victims have lost their lives as a result of the inhuman treatment in which they are subjected to. 

He said: “The government must put a mechanism in place to get rid of these syndicates and prosecute those of them that have been arrested to serve as a deterrent to others.”

NHRC Calls for an End in Torture by Security Agencies

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Nigerian Industrialist Leemon Ikpea Granted Private Audience with Pope at Vatican

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Nigerian Industrialist Leemon Ikpea Granted Private Audience with Pope at Vatican

By: Michael Mike

A leading Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Dr. Leemon Ikpea, has met privately with the Pope at the Vatican in what close associates described as a deeply spiritual and inspiring moment.

Ikpea, the founding chairman and chief executive officer of the Lee Group of Companies, is a prominent figure in Nigeria’s indigenous oil and gas technology sector. The Edo State-born industrialist travelled to Rome as part of his annual spiritual devotion and to strengthen his commitment to the Catholic Church.

During the private audience, the Pontiff is said to have prayed for Ikpea and for Nigeria, urging peace, unity and development in the country. The Pope also reportedly commended the businessman for his philanthropic work and his contributions to human development initiatives both at home and abroad.

A close associate who accompanied Ikpea to the Vatican described the meeting as “humbling and uplifting.” According to him, the encounter reinforced Ikpea’s deep-rooted Catholic faith and his dedication to giving back to society despite his corporate success.

The associate further noted that the industrialist has remained connected to his modest beginnings in Ewatto, Edo State, even as he continues to expand his business interests and social investments.

Dr. Ikpea is widely known for supporting educational programmes, healthcare initiatives and community development projects across different parts of Nigeria.

The Vatican meeting is being seen by his supporters as both a spiritual milestone and a recognition of his humanitarian efforts.

Nigerian Industrialist Leemon Ikpea Granted Private Audience with Pope at Vatican

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Bandits kill herder, rustle 100 cows in kubacha, kagarko LGA in Kaduna

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Bandits kill herder, rustle 100 cows in kubacha, kagarko LGA in Kaduna

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits have killed a 70-year-old herder and rustled about 100 cows in Anguwan Pah village, Kubacha, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Sources said the attack occurred at around 2:00 a.m. on Thursday when the bandits, reportedly in large numbers, stormed the Fulani settlement, shooting sporadically and creating panic among residents.

The victim, identified as Ardor Daudu, was fatally shot during the invasion. Relatives reportedly requested that no postmortem examination be conducted, and he was buried according to Islamic rites.

Security operatives promptly mobilized to the area following the report, photographing the scene and combing nearby bushes in an attempt to recover the stolen livestock.

Coordinated efforts are ongoing to track down the attackers and recover the rustled animals. Investigation into the incident has commenced.

Bandits kill herder, rustle 100 cows in kubacha, kagarko LGA in Kaduna

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Troops raid criminal hideout, rescue kidnapped victim in Kaduna

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Troops raid criminal hideout, rescue kidnapped victim in Kaduna

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, have raided a criminal hideout in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, neutralising several criminals, rescuing a kidnapped victim and recovering arms, ammunition and motorcycles.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out on Tuesday following credible intelligence on the activities of criminal elements operating within the area.

During the raid, the troops reportedly engaged the criminals in a gun duel, resulting in the neutralisation of four suspects, while others fled the scene with possible injuries.

Items recovered from the hideout included one fabricated rifle, five rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and two motorcycles.

Preliminary findings indicated that the neutralised suspects were members of a criminal syndicate responsible for attacks along the Ganawuri–Manchok corridor.

In a related development, the troops were said to have responded swiftly to information on the abduction of a young woman, Miss Immaculate Samuel, who was kidnapped on the night of Jan. 13 at Kajim Village, also in Kaura LGA.

The troops mobilised and pursued the kidnappers, leading to another exchange of gunfire during which three of the suspects were neutralised, while the victim was rescued unharmed.

The rescued victim was subsequently debriefed and reunited with her family.

Security forces said troops had continued to dominate the general area in order to track down and apprehend other members of the criminal group and restore normalcy to affected communities.

Troops raid criminal hideout, rescue kidnapped victim in Kaduna

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