National News
Panel to Probe Human Rights Violations in Ongoing Counter-Insurgency Operations in North-East Inaugurated
Panel to Probe Human Rights Violations in Ongoing Counter-Insurgency Operations in North-East Inaugurated
By Michael Mike
The Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter-Insurgency Operations in North-East Nigeria (SIIP North East) has been inaugurated to probe the alleged allegations by the military in the ongoing operations in the region.
The panel is headed by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Abdu Aboki, other members include Kemi Okenyodo, Azubuike Nwankenta, Maj. Gen. Letam Wiwa (Rtd.) Dr. Maisaratu Bakari, Dr. Fatima Akilu, Halima Nuradeen and Hilary Ogbonna as the secretary.
Inaugurating the panel at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Headquarters in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu said the decision for the inauguration followed the allegations of gross human rights violations contained in the three-part report published in December 2022 on military operations in the north east by media group Reuters.

He said the National Human Rights Commission has invoked its inherent, express and incidental powers as contained in sections 5 and 6 of the NHRC Act as amended to constitute a special independent investigative panel.
He noted that the terms of reference include: Investigate allegations of gross violations of national and international human rights laws/principles alleged against the Nigerian Armed Forces in the three reports by Reuters. (Sections 5(a)(b)(j) and 6(1)(a) of the NHRC Act, 2010);
Receive memorandum from individuals and organisations with interest in the subject matter of the mandate of the SIIP North-East, especially human rights, security and humanitarian organisations working in the North-East; Make appropriate determinations as to culpability of individuals or institutions as may be deemed necessary in each circumstance. (Section 5(j) of the NHRC Act 2010).
Others include to make determination as to the damages or compensation payable in relation to any violation of human rights where it deems this necessary in the circumstances of the case (sec. 6(e) of the NHRC Act, 2010); Refer any matter of human rights violations requiring prosecution to the Attorney General of the Federation or of a State, as the case may be. (Section 5(p) of the NHRC Act, 2010); and to make recommendations to government on Institutional, Policy and Regulatory measures to be taken to integrate human rights principles and practices into military and counter-insurgency operations; Propose Remedial steps that may enhance the professional conduct of military personnel in counter-insurgency operations; and any other related issues that the SIIP North-East may be considered appropriate.
He disclosed that the SIIP North-East shall operate under the mandate of the National Human Rights Commission and shall enjoy its express and incidental powers under section 6(1) and (2) of the NHRC Act.
Ojukwu noted that membership of the panel was drawn from major professional backgrounds relating to the allegations contained in the report, which includes law and human rights, medicine and psychology, military intelligence and humanitarian affairs.
He said: “The National Human Rights Commission is honoured that these eminent Nigerians have agreed to share their time, talents and wealth of experience with the Commission. We are indeed grateful for your generosity. We want to thank the Nigerian Bar Association and the Nigerian Medical Association whose members are represented in the panel.
He added that “the allegations contained in the aforementioned reports are grievous and present a major concern to all of us in the human rights field. As I inaugurate this panel today, it is the hope of the Commission and indeed every Nigerian that this panel will work hard with all the human and other resources at your disposal to investigate and unravel the truth behind these allegations and ensure that justice is done in all appropriate cases. The Commission has given you the mandate and all necessary incidental powers to achieve the terms of reference and objectives for the establishment of this Panel. We are convinced that we have chosen the right team for this work.”
He appealed for cooperation from the state governments, the Nigerian Military, the United Nations System, international and local non-governmental organisations and the traditional and religious institutions in the North East and welcomed the pledge by the Chief of Defence Staff that the military institution will cooperate with this investigation and the subsequent deployment of a Military Liaison to the secretariat of the Panel.
He said that: “To protect human rights and ensure accountability for violations is a sacred duty which all of us as the human family have a mission to uphold.”
Responding, the Chairman of the Panel, Justice Abdu Aboki (Rtd.), expressed thanks on behalf of the members for their appointment to serve.
He said: “Protecting human rights and ensuring accountability and remedies for violations are cardinal principle of every democracy and civilised society. Human rights are God’s gift to humanity. They confer dignity to humankind and make us special beings. Their violations by any person or institutions, should be treated with all sense of justice and accountability.”
He promised that: “Our Panel will endeavour in every respect to abide by the rules of natural justice. We will be fair and just to all manner of persons who appear before us as victims, witness, respondent, Officer, Counsel and citizens. This panel has been constituted to bring justice to investigate human rights violations and bring justice to victims where appropriate. We will be guided by this throughout our sittings and will strive to do substantial justice devoid of technicalities.”
Panel to Probe Human Rights Violations in Ongoing Counter-Insurgency Operations in North-East Inaugurated
National News
EU Declares Nigeria Matters to Us
EU Declares Nigeria Matters to Us
… Reiterates Commitment to Strengthen Long Standing Partnership
By: Michael Mike
The Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, David MacAllister on Monday declared the importance of Nigeria to the bloc, stating that Nigeria “matters” to us.
He also reiterated the bloc’s commitment to strengthening its long-standing partnership with Africa’s largest democracy, Nigeria.
MacAllister, who led a six-member European Parliament delegation on an official visit to Nigeria on Monday, after a meeting with the Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar disclosed that their mission to Nigeria was designed to deepen mutual understanding, explore new areas of collaboration, and reinforce political and economic ties between both sides.
He said: “We are a delegation of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, We are six members in total from five different countries, from three different political groups in the European Parliament. And this shows a cross-party interest in further deepening and strengthening the relations between the European Union and Nigeria.”
MacAllister while describing Nigeria as a strategic partner whose influence on the continent and beyond makes it an indispensable ally in shaping Africa–EU relations, said: “Nigeria is considered as a strategic partner for the European Union. “We have a long-lasting, good and close relationship based on shared values and also on joint interests.”
He noted that the visit was part of the Parliament’s tradition of engaging directly with partner nations to better understand their challenges and opportunities.
He said: “The European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee travels with smaller delegations a few times a year to other parts of the world,” adding that: “We mainly travel to get to know better the countries, to understand better the challenges these countries are facing, and also the opportunities these countries have. And we are also there to very carefully listen.”
MacAllister while expressing appreciation to Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs for hosting the delegation, noted that their discussion was insightful and covered a broad range of regional and global issues.
He said: “It was a great honour for us to be received by the Honourable Minister. His Excellency took more than one and a half hours of his precious time to really go into detail with many, many questions we had as regards the further development of the African Union, the further development of ECOWAS, and the developments in all neighbouring countries of Nigeria.”
He said the dialogue also reflected a shared interest in understanding the trajectories of both regions, stating that: “The Minister was also very interested in finding out how the further developments of the European Union will look like.”
He said: “Because just like Nigeria, just like ECOWAS, we in the European Union, of course, are also facing enormous challenges.”
He reaffirmed that Nigeria remains a vital partner in Europe’s engagement with Africa, stating that: “To sum up in one sentence — Nigeria matters. Nigeria matters for us in the European Union, and we in the European
Parliament are very keen to deepen the strategic partnership with Nigeria. And this will be our message when we go back home to Brussels.”
Responding, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, welcomed the lawmakers to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, describing the European Union as a critical partner in trade, security, and development.
He said: “Any visit from the European Union has to be considered very important because Europe still remains our largest trading partner,” adding that: “Figures may vary, but it is not less than 31.8 billion euros.”
He described Europe and Africa as “natural neighbours,” emphasizing that geography should unite rather than separate the two continents.
He said: “For those who understand a bit of Latin, ‘Mediterranean’ means ‘water in the middle of land. So where Europe is concerned in its relations to Africa, what we have is water in the middle of land—we are closer than we imagine.”
He noted that Nigeria’s partnership with the EU extends beyond trade, touching on regional stability, food security, and job creation.
Tuggar said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emphasizes food security as his number one priority because we are a nation of 230 million people, expected to become 400 million by 2050. We are in a race against time to create jobs, feed our people, and ensure our population is healthy.”
He added that Nigeria’s recent inclusion as the 77th shareholder of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development reflects its commitment to global economic cooperation.
He saud: “We have a lot of lessons to learn from the European Union, which itself is still integrating. It gives us hope and serves as a model that we seek to emulate. We will continue to strengthen our collaboration with the EU in all areas.”
Other members of the European Parliament delegation included Christophe Thomas (France), Jaliana Lefebvre (Croatia), Marta Emigo (Portugal), and Tim Kenan (Finland).
EU Declares Nigeria Matters to Us
National News
PRESIDENT TINUBU CHANGES SERVICE CHIEFS
PRESIDENT TINUBU CHANGES SERVICE CHIEFS
By: Our Reporter
President Bola Tinubu has made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.
The President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff. The new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke is Chief of Air Staff while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff.
Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position.
The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses most profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service, and dedicated leadership.
The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
All appointments take immediate effect.
PRESIDENT TINUBU CHANGES SERVICE CHIEFS
National News
Nigeria-Germany Trade Volume Hits €3 billion – Envoy
Nigeria-Germany Trade Volume Hits €3 billion – Envoy
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria-Germany trade volume has hit an all-time high of €3 billion, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Gunther said on Thursday
The envoy who addressed a press conference in Abuja said the 30% increase could be attributed to Nigeria’s economic recovery.
Gunther who called the press conference ahead of the joint Nigerian-German binational commission scheduled for Berlin, in German, noted that Nigeria remains “Germany’s second biggest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa with a total trade volume of 3 billion Euros,” adding that: “Trade volumes have increased this year by 30% due to Nigeria’s economic recovery.”
The envoy equally revealed that more than 90 German companies are active in the country, “indirectly creating about 17.000 jobs in Nigeria.”
Gunther also told journalists that good times between both countries were not over, promising Nigerians that more investments are on the way, especially in the energy and the pharmaceutical sectors.
She revealed that in the energy sector, the Presidential Power initiative is now in the second phase.
She said: “This cooperation with the German energy giant Siemens will add about 7 Gigawatts to Nigeria’s Energy Grid. Secondly, the German –Nigerian cooperation in the Gas sector, eliminating gas flaring and improving Nigeria´s CO2 footprint.”
The envoy revealed that the relationship has also improved in the area of Visa and Migration as no fewer than 7,600 visas were issued to both students and short term stay, adding that plans were already in place to increase the number.
Gunther said: “All the common goals and projects would not work if they were not supported by travels on all levels between our two countries, plus legal migration. Last year alone, the German Embassy here in Abuja and the German Consulate General in Lagos granted around 1400 long-term visas for purposes such as study in Germany, family reunion and employment as well as around 6200 visas for short-term stays such as business and tourism.
She revealed that: “This year, we are well on track to raise those numbers,” stating that:
“The German missions remain committed to furthering the bilateral relations by granting visas to properly documented applications.”
She also assured that in the area of military cooperation, Germany will continue to stand by Nigeria.
She said: “This year marked a new chapter: the launch of our first Bilateral Annual Programme, bringing military experts from both countries together for in-depth exchanges and joint planning.
“Through the Bundeswehr Advisory Group, Germany has been a reliable partner — supporting Nigeria with field medical expertise and counter-IED operations, car mechanical training and other interventions.
“And we’re not stopping here. Germany will continue to stand with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
“Next month, we’ll take this cooperation to the next level: for the first time, high-level military staff talks will take place in Abuja, opening the door to even closer collaboration in the future.”
She also revealed other areas of cooperation which includes support for the Nigeria police force and the drug enforcement agency amongst others.
In the area of stabilization efforts at containing impacts of terrorism and climate change, the envoy said: “Germany is supporting the development of resilient state institutions and the strengthening of local communities.”
She said focus are on the North East (Borno, Adamawa, Yobe) and the North West (Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina), “where initiatives such as the reconstruction of schools, health centres, markets, housing, and police stations are improving both security and daily life for local people.”
Nigeria-Germany Trade Volume Hits €3 billion – Envoy
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