National News
Nigerians should expect more vigour fight for protection of their rights- NHRC

Nigerians should expect more vigour fight for protection of their rights- NHRC
Nigerians have been asked to expert a renewed vigour in the fight to protect their rights by the National Human Rights Council.
This was the promise given by the Chairperson of the Governing Council, Dr. Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman at the ongoing retreat of the Governing Council/Management of the NHRC in Abuja.
She said members of the 5th Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission recently constituted will take the Commission to the next level as it is ready to prioritize the protection of the rights of Nigerians and non-Nigerians living in the country, as well as the welfare of the staff.
She noted that the Government Council Members are poised to work effectively with stakeholders to ensure that the issue of human rights protection takes the front seat in the country.
She also stressed the need for adequate budgetary allocation to the Commission even as she solicited mutual respect for the decisions and directions of the Commission by the three arms of the Government for the smooth functioning of the Commission.
In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu Esq. declared that the retreat of the Governing Council/Management is designed to give a heads start on the assignment before the newly inaugurated Governing Council Members to ensure that they work effectively with the Management towards making tremendous impacts on human rights protection in Nigeria.
The Chief Human Rights Officer observed that retreat of this nature from time to time will be key to performance improvement for the Council and Management.
According to Ojukwu, “a retreat of this nature is key to understanding the operations of the Commission and setting our priorities right which is inevitable to the smooth and focused operations of the Commission”.
Some of the key issues that will be dealt with in the retreat, the Executive Secretary noted include structure and strategy, institutional and procedural framework, performance improvement and reforms, human rights promotion and agenda setting and other related and sundry issues.
In his keynote remarks, the Chairman of the opening session, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele observed that “as we approach the election year, several human rights challenges will also arise and the Commission must stand on the side of the Constitution to defend the rights of the people”.
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Senator Bamidele who is also the Chairman of Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters said that his Committee has reviewed the enabling Act of the Commission to harmonize it for more effectiveness, adding that very soon the amendment Act will be presented for a 3rd and final reading before passage.
Besides, the lawmaker disclosed that the National Assembly is taking steps to amend the Constitution with regard to incorporating the Commission as a constitutional body and resourcing it through the Human Rights Fund, pointing out that when these initiatives are concluded the Commission will be further entrenched and strengthened legally to fulfill its enabling mandate.
He used the opportunity to commend the Management Staff of the Commission who he noted had performed excellently well in the absence of a Governing Council before the recent inauguration of the 5th Governing Council.
There were several goodwill messages from Legal Aids Council, Attorney General of the Federation, National Judicial Institute, Chief of Defense Staff, Inspector General of Police, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Executive Director NANHRI, Country Representative, UNDP, Country Director, MacArthur Foundation, Executive Director, OSIWA, Acting Executive Director, CLEEN Foundation and all were united in their commitment to partner with the Commission to improve human rights protection in Nigeria.
Nigerians should expect more vigour fight for protection of their rights- NHRC
National News
We were sexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR, rescued Nigerian workers alleged

We were sexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR, rescued Nigerian workers alleged
By: Michael Mike
Rescued 12 Nigerian trapped workers in Central African Republic (CAR) on Friday narrated their ordeal on breathing air of freedom in Nigeria, alleging that they were sexually harassed by their Chinese employers while workers at mining site.
The 12 stranded Nigerian men whose video went viral some three weeks ago finally arrived Nigeria and paid an appreciation visit to the NIDCOM office, where they were received by Chairman/ CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and other management staff.
The leader of the rescued workers, Igorigo Freeborn said it is important for the world to know that despite owing them 11 months salaries, “we were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR.
“I am not ashamed to say it. I want other people to learn from it. We were treated badly there but thank God for sparing our lives to tell the stories today.
“I am one of those people who usually abuse Nigeria and I don’t think anything good can come out of the country but we were all so happy to receive help and succour from Nigeria.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the CAR Ambassador in Bangui, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) ,NEMA, Immigration Service and other government agencies for coming to our rescue almost immediately”, he said.
Freeborn said they had suffered a lot in the past 20 months that they left Nigeria and pleaded with the government to help them redress the injustices meted out to them by their employers.
He recalled how they were left stranded in the forest after work without payment leaving them starving in a harsh and unsafe living conditions. With support from the Presidency Ministry of Foreign Affairs ,NIDCOM, and the Nigerian mission, they were relocated to Bangui, provided with medical care, and eventually brought safely back home.
Welcoming back the returnees to Nigeria, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, assured them that justice will be served as the Commission in conjunction with relevant government agencies would take up the matter on their behalf.
The NIDCOM boss condemned the acts as inhumane and assured that the matter would be pursued to ensure justice is served in line with the citizen diplomacy of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
She counselled them to be of good behaviour and partner with the Commission in its advocacy on irregular migration and its consequences.
NIDCOM through Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa gave some cash support to all the returnees to enable them settle down while expecting their unpaid salaries.
She also called on well meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to assist the Nigerians to settle down back in the country.
A cash donation from Perchstone and Greys, presented by Mr. Toyin Adenugba on behalf of Dr. Tolu Aderemi, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the JAALS Foundation, were given to all the 12 returnees.
Adenugba explained that the support was a demonstration of belief in the evacuees’ potential, meant to serve as a seed for rebuilding their lives, supporting their families, and creating new opportunities at home.
Other rescued workers are Rotimi Kupoluyi, Ajosi Julius, Odeh Collins, Anifowoshe Yekini, Akubo Oluwaseun and Olayemi Peter Adewale.
Others were Stephen Abel Otkli, Samuel Ojochenemi, Alih Joel Muhammed, Unekwu Bala and Yusuf Bameyi.
End
National News
Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police in Ogun have arrested a mobile policeman and several security guards for alleged conspiracy, burglary and theft from a warehouse belonging to H.K Printing & Packaging Limited, Agbara.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Aug. 9 at about 11:00 p.m., when a truck drove into the company premises and proceeded to the warehouse, allegedly aided by security operatives on duty.
According to the sources, Insp. Ibrahim James, attached to PMF 16 Abeokuta, was captured on CCTV moving around and allegedly leading the operation.
Another officer, Insp. Olabamipe Olaiya, posted to the same beat, was said to be absent from duty at the time.
The company’s security guards and the implicated police personnel allegedly conspired with others still at large to break into the warehouse and cart away goods whose total value is yet to be ascertained.
Police detectives led by CSP Phillips Abayomi, Acting ACP, Agbara Division, visited the scene and arrested the mobile policeman along with the private security guards on duty during the incident.
The suspects are being interrogated, while efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing accomplices and recover the stolen items.
Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun
National News
Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nasarawa State Police Command says it is searching for a herbalist, simply identified as Alfa, over alleged involvement in a ritual killing and attempted murder in Mararaba.
It was gathered that the case was reported by one Jamilu Abubakar, a vigilante member.
Abubakar allegedly accompanied two young men to Alfa’s residence on Aug. 12 to seek spiritual assistance purportedly to make more money through internet fraud.
“It was gathered that Alfa prepared a concoction and meat for the victims to eat. Shortly after consuming the meal, both developed severe stomach pain and were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Mararaba.
“Sadly, one of the victims, Ani Sunday, aged 21, was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, while the second, Tosin Akurunor, is responding to treatment,” said the sources.
He said Abubakar had been arrested for his role in taking the victims to the herbalist, while the main suspect, Alfa, was at large.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Alfa and conclude investigations, he added.
Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa
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