News
NHRC Says Over 350,000 Human Rights Violations Complaints Reported in Dec. 2024

NHRC Says Over 350,000 Human Rights Violations Complaints Reported in Dec. 2024
By: Michael Mike
Over 350,000 complaints of human rights violations were reported in December 2024 alone, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said.
This disclosure was made on Tuesday by the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu during the Commission’s December 2024 Human Rights Situation Dashboard and 2024 Year Overview.
Ojukwu said: “In December 2024 alone, the NHRC received a staggering 355,726 complaints of human rights violations. This marks an overwhelming increase from the 1,147 complaints reported in January of the same year.”
He insisted that: “This dramatic surge is a testament to the growing awareness among Nigerians of their rights, and the trust they have placed in the Commission as a crucial avenue for seeking justice and redress. It is a clear indication that Nigerians are increasingly aware of their human rights and are turning to the Commission as a beacon of hope in the face of adversity.”
He added that: “The violations documented in 2024 paint a sobering picture of the challenges we face. Among the most prevalent issues were the violation of the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association; abandonment of children, attacks on law enforcement, discrimination, sexual and gender-based violence, the suppression of civic space, as well as the escalating violence of banditry and mass killings. These issues, though varied, underscore the complexity of the human rights landscape in Nigeria.
“While this dashboard highlights the extent of the violations, it also serves as an urgent call to action. These findings should not just be a point of reflection—they must be a facilitator for change. The protection of human rights cannot, and must not, rest solely on the shoulders of the National Human Rights Commission alone. We call on all stakeholders—our government, civil society organisations, international partners, and all Nigerians—to come together to reinforce our collective efforts to combat systemic injustices.
“We must strengthen mechanisms of accountability and justice. We must advance policies and interventions that safeguard the freedom of expression and combat discrimination in all its forms. It is essential that we invest in the welfare and training of law enforcement officers to ensure that they act in accordance with human rights standards. And we must commit to protecting the most vulnerable in our society, particularly the children who are often neglected and abused.”
“Dear partners, colleagues and gentlemen of the media, the year 2025 is a milestone for the NHRC as it marks it 30th anniversary of its establishment. From military dictatorships to democratic governments, the NHRC has come a history of resilience, innovation and commitment to the Nigerian people. We will be making this year one for not just the NHRC but for all Nigerians and recommit ourselves and the entire nations to realizing Nigeria’s obligations in international human rights,” Ojukwu promised.
He expressed appreciate to partners, particularly the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for their continued and unwavering support.
He said: “To the Nigerian people, we thank you for your courage in bringing forward your complaints. Your voices fuel our commitment to safeguard your rights, and we assure you that the Commission remains resolute in its mission to safeguard your rights and uphold your dignity.”
He insisted that: “Today’s presentation is not the end, but the beginning of renewed efforts. The data we present demands innovative solutions, strengthened partnerships, and a collective resolve to address the human rights challenges in our country. Working together and pririotising human rights in government policies and programmes, we can make 2025 a major turning point in our quest to becoming a leading nation where no man or woman is oppressed or left behind. Together, let us continue to champion the values of dignity, justice, and equality for all Nigerians.”
NHRC Says Over 350,000 Human Rights Violations Complaints Reported in Dec. 2024
News
Tipper truck kills several traders in Jalingo market crash

Tipper truck kills several traders in Jalingo market crash
By: Zagazola Makama
A tragic road accident occurred on Saturday at the popular Mile 6 Market in Jalingo, Taraba State, when a tipper truck loaded with shaft sand lost control and rammed into a crowd of traders and shoppers.

Zagazola learnt the incident, which happened around midday, resulted in multiple fatalities and left several others injured. The exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed as emergency responders continue rescue operations and assessment of the scene.

Sourcessaid the truck was speeding when one of its front tyres suddenly burst, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle veered into the busy market area, knocking down people and structures along its path.

“It happened so fast,” said Musa Ibrahim, a local vendor. “The truck was on speed and after the tyre burst, the driver couldn’t control it. It just rammed into the crowd.”
Security operatives and medical personnel arrived swiftly at the scene to evacuate the injured to nearby hospitals. The body of the deceased has also been recovered, while efforts are ongoing to identify victims and notify their families.

The driver of the truck has been apprehended and is currently in custody as investigations continue into the cause of the crash.
End
Crime
Former Footballer, 4 Others Arrested, Over 22.6kg Cocaine, Meth Seized at Lagos, Enugu Airports

Former Footballer, 4 Others Arrested, Over 22.6kg Cocaine, Meth Seized at Lagos, Enugu Airports
…72-year-old Grandma, Beninese, Ithers Nabbed in NDLEA Raids in Delta, Kwara, Lagos
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a former football player Segun George Hunkarin along with his businessman partner Ntoruka Chinedu over attempt to smuggle a consignment of cocaine into Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, Chinedu who is a frequent flyer known for conveying clothes from Turkey to Nigeria and foodstuffs from Nigeria to Turkey, was the first to be arrested upon his arrival at the Lagos airport last Tuesday, when his carry-on bag was searched, 37 wraps of cocaine weighing 800 grammes were seen to be concealed therein.

Babafemi said investigation showed that the suspect was coming from Turkey on Ethiopian Airlines flight but transited through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he collected the luggage from another person before heading to Nigeria.
He said further checks revealed that an accomplice who turned out to be the former professional footballer, Segun Hunkarin, was waiting for Chinedu at the airport carpark to collect the consignment from him. Hunkarin who had stayed years in Brazil playing for football clubs was promptly tracked and arrested at the carpark.

In his statement, Hunkarin was said to have claimed that while playing professional football in the South American country, he had only trafficked drugs twice from Brazil to Ethiopia but has never brought any to Nigeria.
Another Europe based businessman Amen Okoro was last Friday arrested by NDLEA operatives at the Lagos airport while attempting to traffic 5,000 pills of tramadol 225mg packaged as known malaria drugs such as Lonart, Amatem and Aluktem to Spain.
He was intercepted at the departure hall of terminal 2 of the airport during the outward clearance of passengers on Royal Air Maroc flight to Spain through Casablanca.

Babafemi said Okoro, who is into freight and logistics business between Europe and Nigeria, claimed that on his arrival in Spain, he would have taken a train to France where he resides and from there send the tramadol consignment to Italy for retailing.
At the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) Enugu, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives last Friday intercepted a Maputo, Mozambique based bar attendant Ezenwaka Chibuzor. A search of his luggage led to the discovery of 17 cardboard size parcels of methamphetamine weighing 17.500 kilogrammes and three parcels of cocaine weighing 3.05 kilogrammes.
He revealed that the 38-year-old suspect was coming from Johannesburg, South Africa via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Ethiopian Airlines flight when he was interdicted and subjected to a search during which the illicit drugs concealed in bedsheets packed in his bags were discovered.
He noted that another passenger on board the same Ethiopian Airlines flight, 54-year-old Azu Kpodar was also intercepted at the Enugu airport by NDLEA operatives. When Azu, who arrived from Sao Paulo, Brazil, was searched, a liquid soap plastic container marked YPE, was discovered in his luggage. The substance was promptly taken for analysis at the NDLEA forensic and chemical laboratory, Enugu where the substance tested positive to cocaine.

The substance which turned out to be liquid cocaine weighed 1.250 kilogrammes, the
suspect who is a toy seller in Brinquedo, Sao Paulo, Brazil, claimed he purchased while shopping for his wedding ceremony in Nigeria.
NDLEA operatives at the Seme border area of Badagry in Lagos last Tuesday intercepted a 26-year-old Beninese Vode Jean-Luck while trying to smuggle 69 balls of skunk, a strain of cannabis with a gross weight of 29.5 kilogrammes from Benin Republic into Nigeria.
In Kwara state, a notorious drug dealer Mary Oladele (a.k.a Iya Nafi) was arrested last Wednesday when NDLEA operatives raided her base in Omu-Aran in Irepodun local government area of the state where various quantities of skunk, tramadol and flunitrazepam were recovered from her.
Babafemi said a 72-year-old grandma Mrs. Christy Ejaro was last Tuesday arrested by NDLEA operatives at Niger CAT area of Warri, Delta state, with several sachets of skunk packaged in retail size recovered from her.
The spokesman said the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, social advocacy activities by NDLEA commands equally continued across the country in the past week.
Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), while commending the officers and men of MMIA, AIIA, Delta, Kwara, and Seme commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, equally praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for ensuring a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
Former Footballer, 4 Others Arrested, Over 22.6kg Cocaine, Meth Seized at Lagos, Enugu Airports
News
Armed bandits abduct resident in Bature Daji, in Niger narrowly miss vigilante target

Armed bandits abduct resident in Bature Daji, in Niger narrowly miss vigilante target
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits in large numbers stormed Bature Daji community in Niger in the early hours of Saturday, abducting a resident while narrowly missing their original target, a local vigilante member.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. when the attackers invaded the residence of one Dani, a known vigilante operative in the area. He was reportedly the primary target of the assault but managed to escape.
However, the gunmen kidnapped one Attahiru Ibrahim, popularly known as Sarki Daji, from the same neighborhood and whisked him away to an unknown destination.
Local sources revealed that the assailants later moved toward Gorogawu Village, a border community near the Republic of Benin, raising concerns of cross-border movement and security challenges.
A joint team of security forces, including military and other operatives, has launched a pursuit operation to rescue the victim and apprehend the attackers.
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