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NHRC Promotes Legislation Banning Cultism in Schools

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NHRC Promotes Legislation Banning Cultism in Schools

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for a strict legislation to ban cultism in the country’s institutions of learning.

The Commission apparently worried by spate of increased cultism in the nation’s tertiary institutions, said the legislation should be done is such a way that it will not affect the rights of student population in forming societies and organisations that promote human rights as well as intellectual curiosity and diversity.

The Commission’s position was expressed in Friday in Abuja by Mr. Hillary Ogbona,
the Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, while presenting the monthly human rights dashboard on human rights for the month of April.

He said the issue in focus in the month of April was cultism, saying that, over 20 cultism related deaths were recorded in three states of the Federation.

He noted that cultism, especially in higher institutions of learning has remained a long-standing menace in the country, pointing out that the secret society movements rooted in violence, intimidation, criminal behavior and other bizarre and illegal activities, not only pose grave threat to peace and security, but also pose a significant challenge to the enjoyment of fundamental human rights by affected communities.

He promised that the NHRC remains committed to addressing the issue with a firm commitment to protecting and promoting human rights.

He explained that: “The right to life and security which should be protected by the state faces significant threats in a society plagued by cultism. Cult-related violence leads to loss of innocent lives, shattered families and devastated communities as cultists operate with impunity.”

The dashboard showed that a total of 2011 killings was recorded in the month April, out of which, 82 are attributed to bandits alone, while 99 cases of kidnapping were recorded with North -West region leading with 74 in April and added that, 13 security and law enforcement agents were also killed in the month of April.

Ogbona called on government at all levels to rise up to their responsibility in protecting the lives and properties of the citizens of the country, saying that, “The cycle of violence perpetuated by cultism erodes trust and undermines the right to a secure and peaceful society.

“We also call on all security agencies to step up protection of human life in line with the provision of Section 4(2)(b) of the Constitution”, he said and that, relevant authorities should ensure that schools and streets are safe for the people.

Speaking earlier, the NHRC boss expressed the Commission’s commitment to making accessible, information on human rights and will continue to cooperate with government at all levels, civil society, media, international development partners towards the promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights in Nigeria.

He said the dashboard will assist the government in keeping track of its obligations to national, regional and international human rights instruments and mechanisms.

He said: “We have been rendering this report to the National Assembly and the government of Nigeria on an annual basis and this document has been a reference no material accessible to all interested persons, authorities to gain insight on the status of human rights in Nigeria “.

NHRC Promotes Legislation Banning Cultism in Schools

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Two fulani women rescued from forest after month-long abduction in Adavi forest in Kogi

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Two fulani women rescued from forest after month-long abduction in Adavi forest in Kogi

By: Zagazola Makama

Police in Kogi State have rescued two women who were kidnapped nearly a month ago from Irewagere Fulani Camp in Adavi Local Government Area.

Zagazola report that the victims, Safara Yakubu and Habibat Aminu, both aged 25 and of Fulani descent, were abducted on Nov. 3, 2025, at about 11:00 p.m.

Sources said that the Divisional Police Officer, Osara, mobilized a team based on credible intelligence and rescued the victims along the Osara-Oshokoshoko Obajana Forest on Sunday at about 2:00 p.m.

The rescued women are currently receiving medical attention at a local medical center.
End

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Nigeria Condemns Attempted Military Takeover of Government in Benin

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Nigeria Condemns Attempted Military Takeover of Government in Benin

By: Michael Mike

Nigerian government has condemned the attempted military takeover of government in neighbouring Benin Republic.

A statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa read: “The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has received with grave concern and unequivocally condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempted forcible seizure of power in our friendly neighbour and brotherly nation, the Republic of Benin in the early hours of Sunday 7th December, 2025.

“This act of destabilization represents a direct assault on democracy, constitutional order, and the collective will of the Beninese people, who have consistently demonstrated their commitment to peaceful political transitions.

“Nigeria stands in firm solidarity with the Government and people of the Republic of Benin, and applauds the swift action taken by Beninese authorities to protect its legitimate institutions and preserve the peace.”

“We commend the courage and professionalism of the Beninese security forces in defending the constitutional order and guaranteeing the safety of the President. Their dedication ensured that the unfortunate attempt to subvert democracy was decisively repelled,” the statement added.

The statement further read: “Nigeria reiterates its strong commitment to the principles of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law as fundamental pillars for peace, development and regional stability. Unconstitutional changes of government are an unacceptable and retrogressive step that threatens the hard-earned democratic gains and socio-economic progress of our sub-region.

“As a steadfast partner within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, Nigeria calls on all member states and the international community to unite in condemning this act and in reaffirming our shared commitment to the African Union’s Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

“We urge all parties in the Republic of Benin to remain calm, uphold the rule of law, and continue to channel any political discourse through peaceful, constitutional, and democratic means.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria reassures the Government of the Republic of Benin of its full support and continued cooperation as we work together, as brothers and partners, to deepen democracy and ensure lasting peace and prosperity for our peoples and the entire West African region.”

Nigeria Condemns Attempted Military Takeover of Government in Benin

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ECOWAS Condemns Attempted Military Takeover in Benin

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ECOWAS Condemns Attempted Military Takeover in Benin

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned the attempted military takeover of government in Benin Republic

A statement on Sunday by the ECOWAS office in Abuja read: “ECOWAS Commission has received with consternation reports of an attempted military take-over in the Republic of Benin.

“ECOWAS strongly condemns this unconstitutional move that represents a subversion of the will of the people of Benin.

“ECOWAS calls for the full respect of the Constitution of Benin and salutes the efforts of the Government and the Republican Army in bringing the situation under control.

“ECOWAS holds the leaders of the plot both individually and collectively responsable for

any loss to life and property occasioned by their action.

“ECOWAS will support the Government and the people in all forms necessary, including

the deployment of the regional standby force, to defend the Constitution and the territorial integrity of Benin.”

ECOWAS Condemns Attempted Military Takeover in Benin

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