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NHRC charge security agencies to respect rights of affected
NHRC charge security agencies to respect rights of affected
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The National Human Rights Commission has called on security agencies and government actors in conflict regions to respect the rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees and asylum seekers Nation wide.
The call was made recently by the Executive Secretary (ES) of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Dr Tony Ojukwu during a collaborative training session held in Maiduguri on the mainstreaming of human rights and humanitarian responses during daily operations by security and government actors.
Dr Ojukwu who was represented by his special Assistant, and head of monitoring of the organization, Dr Benedict Agu who flagged the two days training open for participants from both military and the civil society said the gathering was timely considering what goes on in various theatres of war in Nigeria.
Welcoming participants to the training, the ES noted that the meeting was an activity under the Project: ‘NHRC/UNHCR 2025 Project on the Protection of Human Rights of idps, refugees, asylum seekers and returnees through Information/Data Collection and Documentation in Nigeria’.
Dr Ojukwu noted that the Commission was implementing the project with the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and was going to make it a yearly activity until the apathy against these vulnerable people is reduced to the minimum.

Dr Ojukwu maintained that he appreciated the continuous support of UNHCR in providing the much-needed assistance towards the promotion and protection of the rights of these persons for whom the Commission and UNHCR works with.
“The plight of these people because of insurgency activities/armed conflicts, flooding and drought etc should be of concern to all, hence, the continuous intervention by NHRC with the support of UNHCR.
“This year’s project cycle commenced in January 2025 in the three most impacted LGAs in the 11 states of Adamawa, Akwa- Ibom, Borno, Benue, Cross-River, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.
“Human Right Monitors (HRMs) and Community Protection Action Group (CPAGs) members were trained and deployed to these selected LGAs where they work closely with the staff of UNHCR to gather and send reports regularly to the report harmonization team at the Commission’s headquarters.
“The HRMs and CPAGs visit the detention facilities in within their area of coverage in the different IDP camps, returned communities and host Communities in identifying and reporting protection/ human rights issues as well as referring these protection issues to different MDAs for appropriate response.”
Ojukwu hinted that the project has recorded a good number of targeted responses from the MDAs and humanitarian actors adding that the Commission, therefore, deems it necessary to engage with the security and government actors who may have one thing or the other with regards to the above stated populations under the Project for better coordination and understanding so as to continue to give positive human rights and humanitarian responses to matters concerning them.
“The identified protection issues are not just mere needs of these mandated population for NHRC, rather they are issues that may breach the enjoyment of their fundamental human rights. These issues must be seen as violations of the rights of these persons who have been made vulnerable through displacement due to the insurgency and other related conflicts.
“One of the purposes of this engagement is to highlight some of the protection issues and/or human rights/humanitarian concerns and encourage the responsible agency of government and relevant humanitarian actors to make efforts at resolving them early. ” He stressed.
The ES stated that the engagement with MDAs and humanitarian actors is also to promote and facilitate information sharing on areas of humanitarian activities in the states.
” It will also provide the needed link between the HRMs, CPAG members and the MDAs in relation to referral pathways to enable them respond in real time to the challenges faced by the NHRC mandated populations.” Said the ES.
Barrister Ojukwu posited that it was important that the meeting was held at this point in time to enable Protection and Humanitarian Actors identify potentials and future collaboration areas adding that the meeting will also present a learning opportunity for participant observers involved in protection and humanitarian interventions in war theatres nation wide.
In his presentation titled “Understanding UNHCR mandate and the humanitarian situation in the north East of Nigeria Dan Bisu said that 123.2 million humans are displaced worldwide with African having 38.1 million of that and Nigeria occupying a big chunk of that number
Out of this statistics, 73.5 million of them are IDP’s while 36.8 million are asylum seekers with the middle East and north Africa contributing to 32.9 million of that figure.
Meanwhile 3.45 percent of the globally forcibly displaced population in 2024 are said to be Nigerians.
It is a known fact that during the last 16 years of insurgency, human rights of these individuals have been badly abused especially by their camp managers at a time when the vulnerable needed protection and humanitarian interventions for their survival.
It expected that stakeholders after the training will strengthen collaboration that will counter the disturbing trend of human rights violations in the Northeast Hadin Kai war theatre which has witnessed thousands of deaths due to back and forth movement of IDP’s and refugees running for their lives across the bobby traps of improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the savannah.
The training was attended by troops representatives of Operations Hadin Kai, civil defense, the Nigerian police, DSS, immigration, other paramilitary organizations, ministries, departments and agencies (MDA’s).
NHRC charge security agencies to respect rights of affected
News
Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram
Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Government has distributed relief materials to 434 indigenes of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area who were recently rescued by security agencies after spending three months in Boko Haram captivity.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited the victims in Pulka on Monday and directed the immediate distribution of food and non-food items to support their recovery and reintegration.

In compliance with the Governor’s directive, the Director General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Ali Abdullahi Isa, promptly supervised the distribution exercise.
Each rescued person received a bag of rice, a bag of maize grits, a mattress, a wrapper, and a shadda, while children received two pairs of clothing.

In addition, 208 heads of households received N50,000 each, fulfilling Governor Zulum’s earlier pledge of financial assistance.
Speaking during the distribution, the SEMA Director General said the intervention was part of the government’s immediate response to ease the hardship faced by the rescued victims.

“I am here at the instance of His Excellency, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who was here some few days ago, and to deliver the items he directed that it should be given to you as emergency relief,” Ali stated.
The rescued individuals are currently receiving medical care and psychosocial support at a government facility. Upon completion of the rehabilitation process, they will be reintegrated into their respective communities.
The exercise was carried out alongside the Chairman of Gwoza local government, representatives of the Ngoshe community, and other officials.
Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram
News
Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs
Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, marked Democracy Day with the handover of two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and critical logistics to the Nigerian Army, after joining internally displaced persons (IDPs) for a symbolic celebration and distribution of food items to 2,500 beneficiaries.
The armoured MRAPs delivered to the Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai on Friday are intended to enhance troop protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ambushes which remain a persistent threat in the fight against insurgents. Additional logistics include operational Hilux vehicles and motorcycles for frontline soldiers in difficult terrains.
Zulum also marked Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Madinatu camp where he distributed food supplies, non-food items, and cash gifts to thousands of beneficiaries.
The distribution, held at the Madinatu IDP camp, served to consolidate Zulum’s resettlement gains. Over the past seven years, Borno State Government has successfully resettled more than 2 million IDPs in their ancestral communities in a dignified and voluntary manner.
“It gladdens my heart today, the 12th of June, 2026, to celebrate June 12th, Democracy Day, here in Madinatu Camp, the only formal camp that is standing inside Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, today, to the glory of God and the benefit of mankind, for the distribution of food and non-food items. Inshallah, this camp will be closed this year. This will be our last distribution exercise in this camp, or the second to the last,” Zulum said.
However, Governor Zulum used the occasion to announce a timeline for the camp’s closure. The governor ordered that Madinatu camp be shut down within one month, vowing to similarly close most IDP camps across various Local Government Areas in the coming phase of his administration’s resettlement strategy.
“Democracy must translate into restoring the dignity of our people,” Zulum told the IDPs. “Living in camps is not a permanent solution. Our goal remains to return every displaced person to their ancestral homes with security and means of livelihood.”
In addition to the food items, Zulum approved N50,000 each for the 2,500 beneficiaries present at the event.
“Each of the 500 beneficiaries mentioned will receive a 25kg bag of rice and a 25kg bag of sorghum. Women will receive wrappers. I also promise to provide 50,000 naira to each beneficiary. This amount can be credited into their own individual accounts, inshallah,” Zulum said.
The exercise was attended by the APC’s State Deputy Chairman, Garba Mulima, APC State Vice Chairman (Central) Abdur Rahman Abdulkarim, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mallumbe, Member representing Jere at the State Assembly, Abba Kyari Kolo, commissioners and commissioner designates and several other senior government officials.
Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs
News
Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano
Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano
By: Michael Mike
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for the arrest of a suspected gun courier intercepted while allegedly transporting weapons believed to be destined for criminal elements in Katsina State.
The commendation was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday, June 12, 2026.

Governor Yusuf described the operation as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes threatening communities across Northern Nigeria.
According to information provided by the DSS, the suspect, identified as Muhammad Abubakar, 30, was apprehended in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State while allegedly transporting four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes, three AK-47 rifles and two empty magazines to Funtua in Katsina State.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect collected the weapons from an individual identified as Bello in the Maigatari border area of Jigawa State and was expected to receive N450,000 upon successful delivery of the arms.
Governor Yusuf praised the professionalism, vigilance and intelligence-driven approach of DSS operatives, noting that the timely interception prevented the weapons from falling into the hands of bandits and other criminal groups.
He said the operation underscored the critical role of intelligence gathering and effective collaboration among security agencies in tackling emerging security threats across the country.
The governor reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government to supporting security agencies through sustained cooperation, logistics assistance and policies aimed at strengthening public safety throughout the state.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies to aid efforts to combat crime and maintain peace.
Governor Yusuf expressed confidence that ongoing investigations would lead to the arrest and prosecution of all individuals connected to the alleged arms trafficking network.
The statement was signed by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.
Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano
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