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NHRC Promotes Legislation Banning Cultism in Schools
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
Gunmen kill five, abduct passengers in attack on Abuja–Ilesha bus in Kogi
By: Zagazola Makama
The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed that five persons were killed and several others abducted in a deadly attack on a commercial bus along the Oshokoshoko/Agbede Highway near a military checkpoint in the state.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 12:10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, when heavily armed hoodlums blocked the highway and opened fire on vehicles in transit.
According to the source, an 18-seater Toyota bus with Jigawa State registration number HJA 687 YD, conveying passengers from Abuja to Ilesha, was riddled with bullets during the attack.
“Five unidentified corpses with gunshot injuries were recovered at the scene,” the source said.
The sources added that one of the passengers, identified as Naziru Aliyu, was rescued with gunshot wounds and rushed to Fisayo Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Federal Teaching Hospital mortuary in Lokoja.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Obajana was said to have mobilised joint security teams to the area for assessment and rescue operations.
Further bush-combing and intelligence-led operations later led to the rescue of 14 additional passengers. They were identified as Qorib Akere, Hamsatu Umar, Maryam Abubakar, Alpha Abdullateef, Alpha Uammi Adamu, Sanni Yahaya, Engr. Wojuola Olajide, Ademola Ibrahim, Fidelis Ajeh, Musa Muhammed, Nehemiah Gyang, Kanini Moses and Simon Obadiah.
Some of the rescued victims sustained gunshot wounds and are currently receiving treatment at Fisayo Hospital.
The police said about four passengers from the bus are still unaccounted for.
The sources Investigation has commenced, while strategies for further rescue operations and the arrest of the perpetrators are being intensified.
The command assured residents and road users of its commitment to restore safety along the highway and bring the attackers to justice.
Gunmen kill five, abduct passengers in attack on Abuja–Ilesha bus in Kogi
Troops repel terrorist ambush attempt in Borno, neutralise one fighter
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have engaged and repelled suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists during an ambush operation in Borno State, neutralising one fighter and recovering arms and ammunition.
Sources said that the encounter occurred at about 1:40 a.m. on Jan. 31, 2026, when the troops made contact with the terrorists.
The sources said the terrorists fled in disarray after the troops opened fire, leading to immediate exploitation of the area.
“One terrorist was neutralised. One AK-47 rifle, one magazine and 19 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered,” the sources stated.
It added that troops expended 47 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the engagement, with no casualties recorded on the side of the military.
Troops repel terrorist ambush attempt in Borno, neutralise one fighter
Islamic State claims attack on Niamey airport
By: Zagazola Makama
The Islamic State’s media arm, Amaq News Agency, has claimed responsibility for an overnight attack on Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger’s capital, marking a rare strike close to the heart of the city.
In a statement circulated on Friday, Amaq said fighters of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) carried out a “surprise and coordinated” operation on the night of Jan. 29–30, targeting Air Base 101 located within the airport complex.
The group alleged that the attack caused “significant damage” and “heavy losses,” though Nigerien authorities have not released official casualty figures. Airport operations reportedly continued after the incident, while damage assessment was ongoing.
Zagazola report that the assault, which lasted several hours on the night of 28–29 January, was carried out by armed assailants mounted on motorcycles who switched off their headlights to infiltrate the city undetected.
The attackers reportedly targeted military installations co-located with the civilian airport, including drone platforms, air defense systems, and commercial aircraft belonging to Air Côte d’Ivoire and ASKY Airlines. Mortars, drones, and small arms were used in the attack.
The Nigerien Defense and Security Forces, with the support of Russian African Corps personnel, repelled the assault, sustaining four injuries among security personnel. Twenty assailants were neutralized, 11 apprehended, and several motorcycles destroyed or seized. Civilians were unharmed.
Reacting to the incident, Niger’s military leader, Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani, accused France, Benin and Côte d’Ivoire of backing the attackers, while commending Russia for its support to Niger’s defence efforts. ISIS had now came out to claim responsibility for the attack dismissing the initial claims of Niger’s Junta.
Islamic State claims attack on Niamey airport
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