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Nigeria: There have been around 350,000 direct and indirect deaths linked to the insurgency – Ojukwu
Nigeria: There have been around 350,000 direct and indirect deaths linked to the insurgency – Ojukwu
By Babagana Wakil
The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Tony Ojukwu SAN, has observed that the decade long Boko Haram insurgency has seen some of the worst forms of human rights violations in the history of Nigeria.
Mr. Tony Ojukwu made the observation at the Traditional/Religious Leaders Forum on Transitional Justice and Reconciliation in North East Nigeria, which held in Maiduguri the Borno state capital on Monday.
He said for the people in the north-eastern part of Nigeria, this conflict has brought untold physical, emotional and psychological losses on the victims and their families.
“UNDP in a recent report estimates that there have been around 350,000 direct and indirect deaths linked to the insurgency. ” He said
Mr. Tony said, added to this is the over 2 million displaced people in Nigeria and neighbouring countries. “The set back to the economic and social development of the North-eastern states and Nigeria can never be over-quantified in terms of financial and human resources.”
He said the Commission appreciates the sacrifices of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the commitments of the Governments and citizens of the north-eastern states towards reconstruction, rehabilitation and reintegration of affected communities.
“Distinguished guests, ending the insurgency will require both military and non-military approaches. Indeed, the path to reconciliation, reintegration and reconstruction will only be sustained in an atmosphere of peace, and community process of transitional, restitutive and restorative justice.
“In this regard, it is the view of the Commission that the efforts of both the federal and state governments at deradicalizing Boko Haram insurgents and reintegrating them to communities should be followed with a process of formal and non-formal community-led transitional and restitutive justice anchored on human rights and social inclusion.
“The concept of a Traditional and Religious Leaders Forum on transitional justice and reconciliation has been framed along these lines.
“Honourable Commissoners, Your Royal Highnesses and distinguished guests, the role of traditional and religious institutions in shaping community perceptions and facilitating social cohesion can never be over-emphasised. In many of our communities across Nigeria, traditional and religious leaders are the centrepiece of our civilisation, facilitating and shaping education and socialisation from cradle to grave. In North-Eastern Nigeria, traditional and religious institutions whose roles in advancing social and economic development dating more than five centuries have been recognised.
“It is therefore based on these foundations that the National Human Rights Commission is working with traditional and religious institutions across project states and communities to use their platforms to advocate for peace, reconciliation and justice. We are privileged to be working with some of the most passionate community actors in the region. We are honoured today to be having in our midst, the District Heads of the 7 project communities. It is our hope that working with the Governments of the 3 project states and indeed the region, we can begin an annual convening of this Forum to continue to advocate for the roles of traditional and religious institutions in peace building and social justice.
“As I have often emphasised in various occasions under this project, the path to reconciliation and forgiveness is long and rough. We will be dealing with decade long wounds, grievances and the lust for revenge. We need our traditional and religious leaders and institutions to be champions of the twin concepts of reconciliation and justice. We remain convinced that reconciliation is far cheaper to both the victim and the society than military or formal judicial process.
“Permit me ladies and gentlemen to welcome in a special way, our keynote speaker for this forum, Professor Umara Ibrahim Gudumbali, of the Department of Political Science, University of Maiduguri, who is a distinguished scholar in the fields which have brought us together today.
“On a final note, I want to thank the Governments of the Borno, Adamawa and Yobe for their partnership in this project and for the leadership and resilience they have all shown in tacking these security and development challenges. You have a partner in the National Human Rights Commission, and we pledge our mandate and resources to continuously work with you in addressing these challenges.”
News
NDLEA Warns Nigerians Against Fake Vehicle Auction Scam Using Officials’ Names
NDLEA Warns Nigerians Against Fake Vehicle Auction Scam Using Officials’ Names
By: Michael Mike
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has alerted Nigerians to a fraudulent scheme in which scammers are impersonating senior officials of the agency to deceive unsuspecting members of the public with fake offers of forfeited vehicles purportedly being sold at discounted auction prices.
In a disclaimer issued on Friday, the agency said the fraudsters have been circulating forged private letters and messages, particularly in the name of the NDLEA’s Secretary, Shadrach Haruna, claiming that seized vehicles are available for purchase through private arrangements.
The agency described the offers as entirely fraudulent, warning that they are designed solely to swindle victims out of their money.
According to the NDLEA, no official of the agency has the authority to privately allocate, sell or offer forfeited vehicles or any other seized assets to individuals under any circumstance.
It explained that assets forfeited as proceeds of drug-related offences are disposed of only through publicly advertised auctions conducted by government-appointed and registered auctioneers, in accordance with extant legal provisions and public procurement regulations.
The agency stressed that whenever such auctions are approved, they are widely publicised through national newspapers and the NDLEA’s official communication platforms to ensure transparency and equal access for interested members of the public.
The anti-narcotics agency therefore urged Nigerians to disregard any private letters, text messages, emails or social media posts claiming to offer forfeited vehicles for sale on behalf of Barrister Haruna or any other NDLEA official.
It also advised anyone approached with such offers to report the matter immediately to the nearest NDLEA command or through the agency’s official communication channels.
The statement, signed by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to transparency, accountability and due process in the disposal of forfeited assets, while urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to the activities of fraudsters exploiting the agency’s name.
NDLEA Warns Nigerians Against Fake Vehicle Auction Scam Using Officials’ Names
News
Troops Repel Multiple Terrorist Attacks, Rescue District Head, Recover Arms in Katsina, Zamfara
Troops Repel Multiple Terrorist Attacks, Rescue District Head, Recover Arms in Katsina, Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have repelled multiple terrorist attacks, rescued an abducted district head and recovered arms and other combat equipment during coordinated operations across Katsina and Zamfara states.
The military disclosed that the operations, conducted on July 2, demonstrated the sustained offensive against terrorist groups operating in the North-West.

In Katsina State, troops of Sector 2 on a fighting patrol engaged terrorists between Amara and Chakau Junction in Danmusa Local Government Area after the fleeing criminals opened fire on the advancing troops.
The troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the terrorists to flee and abandon their mission.
Items recovered from the scene included one AK-47 rifle, one magazine loaded with eight rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and two motorcycles believed to have been used by the terrorists.
In another operation on the outskirts of Sabon Garin and Dantakeri villages in Dutsinma Local Government Area, troops, in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilantes, responded to a terrorist attack and engaged the assailants in a firefight.

One terrorist was neutralised during the encounter, while the remaining attackers fled with varying degrees of gunshot wounds, according to military sources.
Also in Katsina, troops of Sector 2, working with other security agencies, responded to intelligence that terrorists had invaded Farin Hawa Village in Malumfashi Local Government Area and abducted the District Head, Mr. Mubarak Sharin.
The troops immediately pursued the fleeing terrorists, made contact with them and engaged them in a gun battle, killing one of the kidnappers and forcing the others to abandon the abducted traditional ruler.
The district head was rescued unhurt and reunited with his family.
Meanwhile, in Zamfara State, troops of Sector 2 successfully repelled a terrorist attack on their position at Dauran in Bukkuyum Local Government Area.

Military sources said reinforcement troops joined the battle, forcing the terrorists to retreat in disarray.
A subsequent exploitation of the area led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 35 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a bandolier and a hydration pack (CamelBak).
The military commended the courage, professionalism and resilience displayed by the troops as well as the support of other security agencies and local vigilantes during the operations.
It reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against terrorist groups while working closely with local communities to improve security and protect lives and property across the North-West.
Troops Repel Multiple Terrorist Attacks, Rescue District Head, Recover Arms in Katsina, Zamfara
News
MAJOR SETBACK FOR IBUSA AS COURT REFUSES EXECUTION ORDER, STRENGTHENS OGWASHI-UKU’S POSITION IN LAND BATTLE
MAJOR SETBACK FOR IBUSA AS COURT REFUSES EXECUTION ORDER, STRENGTHENS OGWASHI-UKU’S POSITION IN LAND BATTLE
The Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, HRM Obi (Dr.) Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II, on behalf of the people of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, has recorded what community leaders have described as a significant legal victory in the long-running land dispute involving the Esemese Community of Ibusa.
In a ruling delivered on 15 June 2026 in Suit No. A/M/62/2015, the Delta State High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice Flora Ngozi Azinge, declined the principal application by the Esemese Community of Ibusa seeking an order for the execution of the judgment arising from the earlier litigation between the parties.
The applicants, through their counsel, Barrister P. U. Lotobi, had sought, among other reliefs, an order permitting the execution of the judgment and the substitution of several deceased parties to the proceedings. While the Court granted the applications relating to the substitution of deceased parties in the Esemese community, it declined the principal relief seeking an order of execution.
The Court also approved the substitution of the late HRM Obi Professor Chukwuka Okonjo with the present Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, HRM Obi (Dr.) Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II, who is represented in the proceedings by Chief Arthur Obi Okafor, SAN.
The ruling marks an important development in a dispute that has its origins in earlier litigation in Suit No. A/28/66.
According to the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, concerns had previously arisen over the interpretation of the litigation survey plan associated with the Supreme Court judgment. The Kingdom maintained that attempts had been made to rely on a survey plan that differed from the original litigation survey relied upon by the Court.
Following applications by the Ogwashi-Uku community before the Supreme Court, the Kingdom states that the Court restored the original litigation survey plan forming part of the earlier proceedings. In the present proceedings, the High Court further directed that a registered surveyor interpret the litigation survey plan.
Leaders of the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom have welcomed the ruling, describing it as an important safeguard against what they contend were attempts to extend the earlier judgment beyond the land actually litigated.
Speaking after the ruling, the Chief of Aboh Ogwashi-Uku, Chief Barrister Jude Obidi, described the decision as a landmark development and that the boundary between Ogwashi-Uku and Ibusa remains at the Oboshi River.
According to him, the ruling reinforces the principle that court judgments must be enforced strictly within the boundaries of the land actually determined by the courts and not beyond them.
He further noted that the broader boundary dispute between Ogwashi-Uku and Ibusa remains pending before the Delta State High Court in a separate action instituted by the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku to determine the precise boundary between the two neighbouring communities.
Chief Obidi commended the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku for what he described as his steadfast commitment to protecting the territorial interests of the Kingdom through lawful means and the judicial process.
The latest ruling is expected to have significant implications for future attempts to enforce the earlier judgment pending the final determination of the boundary dispute between both communities. With this ruling, the claims by Ibusa for the areas around Admiralty University have been thrown into serious doubt.
The Palace of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku through the Chief of Staff to the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Prince Onyema Okonjo when contacted welcomed the rejection of the request by the Ibusa community by the Delta State High Court in Ogwashi-Uku but also maintained that the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku reserves the right to seek appellate review of any portion of the ruling it wasn’t happy with. He also cautioned members of the Ibusa community from resorting to self help in using thugs and attempting to enter Ogwashi-Uku land any further to make illegal claims outside any court approved enforcement.
MAJOR SETBACK FOR IBUSA AS COURT REFUSES EXECUTION ORDER, STRENGTHENS OGWASHI-UKU’S POSITION IN LAND BATTLE
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