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Post Insurgency: NGO Urges Borno Govt To Consider Transitional Justice For Peace, Development
Post Insurgency: NGO Urges Borno Govt To Consider Transitional Justice For Peace, Development
By Melvin Uche
Basic Rights Watch, a non- governmental organisation (NGO) has called on Borno State government to adopt Transitional Justice (TJ) in its Post- insurgency era as a pathway to peace and development in the state.
The Chief Executive Officer of Basic Rights Watch, Mr Austine Ekwujuru made the call while addressing Journalists on Wednesday in Maiduguri.
Ekwujuru noted that the steady decline in Boko Haram attacks in North-East Nigeria, particularly Borno State indicates that the country is gradually moving towards the post-insurgency era, hence the urgent need to find pathways to lasting peace and development for the affected populace.
He said as such, there is no better approach than the deployment of a robust Transitional Justice (TJ) mechanism to ensure sustainable pathways to peace, healing, accountability, and development.
He said Transitional Justice is crucial for the promotion of human rights and justice, peace and security, good governance and development, noting that the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 underscores the importance of these ideals as part of the drive towards the ‘Africa-We-Want’.
“Transitional justice (TJ) consists of judicial and non-judicial measures implemented in order to redress legacies of human rights abuses. Such measures could “include truth commissions, reparations programs, and various kinds of institutional reforms amongst others. TJ is informed by a society’s desire to rebuild social trust, repair a fractured justice system and ensure accountability after a prolonged conflict.
“The consortium Basic Rights Watch, the People, Young Professionals in Policy and Development and Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution today urge the Borno State government to consider Transitional Justice mechanism in the post-insurgency era as a pathway to sustainable peace and development in the state.
“TJ has recently received greater attention by both academics and policymakers. It has also generated interest in the fields of political and legal discourse. In periods of political transitions, from authoritarian, dictatorial regimes or from civil conflicts to democracy, TJ has often provided opportunities for such societies to address past human rights abuses, mass atrocities, or other forms of severe trauma in order to facilitate a smooth transition into a more democratic or peaceful future.
“In Nigeria, after the transition process from military regime to a democratic regime, a Truth and Reconciliation Panel was set up called the Oputa panel. In South Africa, after the Apartheid regime, a truth and reconciliation panel was set up headed by Bishop Desmond Tutu. Other TJ processes include the Gacaca courts in Rwanda, which helped in promoting truth and justice in their community. In Sierra Leone, there was the Fambul Tor aimed at reconciliation and forgiveness in communities that were affected by a long-running civil war.
“In Liberia, there was the Palaver Hut, all locally driven initiatives. Following the Boko Haram insurgency and the counter-insurgency, there were cases of human rights violations and abuses in the North East particularly in Borno state by both state and non-state actors. Therefore, there is need for TJ mechanisms aimed at healing, accountability, reconciliation and forgiveness.
“The concept of TJ is therefore a necessary step in moving from a divided and painful past to a commonly shared and developed future. The core values of TJ include but are not limited to: Acknowledgement of responsibility and the suffering of victims; Showing remorse; Asking for forgiveness; Paying compensation or making reparation; Reconciliation,” Ekwujuru said.
He noted that the concerted efforts of the government to tackle insurgency especially in Borno state is yielding the desired results as noted in the de-escalation of violence, but however observed that, the human rights violations that trailed the operations of the insurgents and the counter-insurgency made the young people to be targets of harassments, torture and brutality.
He said that these have left an indelible mark on their psyche and ignited a mood to seek justice as a critical pathway for sustainable peace.
Post Insurgency: NGO Urges Borno Govt To Consider Transitional Justice For Peace, Development
Kidnappers Abduct 60-Year-Old Woman from Kano Hospital
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old woman, Talatu Ali, from the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Dawanau in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area (LGA), Kano State, while she was awaiting medical consultation.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the victim had been brought to the hospital by her son, Nasiru Aliyu, and her cousin, Aliyu Garba, both from Yar Gaya Village in Dawakin Kudu LGA, on February 19, 2025, at about 8:30 a.m.
While on the queue for consultation, they suddenly discovered that she had disappeared.
All efforts to locate her within the hospital premises proved abortive, prompting the family to report the case at the Dawanau Divisional Police Headquarters.
On February 21, 2025, at about 7:00 a.m., Aliyu received a phone call from an unknown number confirming that the victim was in the caller’s custody.
Authorities believe the abductors may have deliberately targeted the hospital, exploiting its vulnerability to infiltrate and take hostages.
The Kano State Police Command confirmed the abduction.
Kidnappers Abduct 60-Year-Old Woman from Kano Hospital
Zulum Honored as 2024 New Telegraph’s Governor of the Year
…Pledges greater achievements in coming years
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has been awarded as the 2024 New Telegraph Governor of the Year, celebrating his exceptional leadership and transformative achievements in the state.
Governor Zulum received the prestigious award on Friday at the Grand Ballroom of the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, alongside seven other governors, the Ministers of Aviation and Information, the Group CEO of NNPC Ltd, corporate organizations, and other distinguished personalities.
The award acknowledges Governor Zulum’s unwavering commitment to rebuilding public infrastructure in communities destroyed by Boko Haram insurgency, revitalizing the state’s economy, and enhancing security, allowing citizens to go about their daily lives without fear.
Governor Zulum’s outstanding leadership has earned him numerous accolades in 2024, including: the Forbes Magazine African Leadership Award, Nigerian NewsDirect Newspaper of the year, the NUJ Good Governance Award, the Nigeria’s Pride Award for Leadership in Security and Public Service, and the Fellowship Award from the Environmental Management Association of Nigeria (EMAN), among others.
Governor Zulum who was represented at the event, by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Umar Usman Kadafur, expressed gratitude to New Telegraph Newspaper for recognizing the administration’s developmental strides in rebuilding the state after 16 years of insurgency.
“I am delighted that the New Telegraph has showcased His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, as the Governor of the Year 2024. This recognition underscores that Nigerians are keenly observing and appreciating the impact of his governance at both national and sub-national levels,” Dr. Kadafur stated.
He reaffirmed that Governor Zulum’s administration remains committed to delivering his 10 point agenda and improving the lives of the people of Borno State.
“The Governor’s recognition is a testament to his dedication to the people. Zulum has become a household name in Nigeria for his commitment to good governance and impactful projects across various sectors,” he added.
The Deputy Governor was accompanied by the Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar; Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Emet Kois; Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dauda Iliya; Senior Special Assistant Media, Baba Shiekh Haruna; Senior Special Assistant office of the Deputy Governor, Hon. Alfred Buba and SSA to the Deputy Governor, Hon. Habu Ibrahim.
Zulum Honored as 2024 New Telegraph’s Governor of the Year
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Kidnapped Munya LGA Secretary Regains Freedom as Security Forces Intensify Rescue Efforts
Kidnapped Munya LGA Secretary Regains Freedom as Security Forces Intensify Rescue Efforts
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the release of Usman Daina, the Secretary of Munya Local Government Council, who was abducted by armed bandits.
Daina was freed unhurt following a sustained pursuit operation by security forces. However, authorities have stated that efforts are still ongoing to rescue other victims who remain in captivity and to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators.
Zagazola Makama had reported that On Feb. 21, 2025, heavily armed bandits launched an attack on Munya Local Government Area, abducting several residents, including the council secretary.
It was gathered that that the assailants moved from Chibani forest through the Shakwata axis before striking various communities, including the Dandaudu area of Munya LGA.
The attackers invaded homes, looted food supplies, and forcefully took away multiple victims.
Following the abduction, the Nigerian Army troops, police tactical teams, vigilantes, and other security forces were deployed to track the movements of the kidnappers.
Their aggressive pursuit led to the successful release of Daina, while efforts continue to rescue the remaining captives and dismantle the criminal network responsible for the attack.
Sources said that the security forces are currently conducting aerial surveillance, intelligence-driven operations, and ground raids on identified bandit hideouts in the region.
Kidnapped Munya LGA Secretary Regains Freedom as Security Forces Intensify Rescue Efforts
Kidnappers Abduct 60-Year-Old Woman from Kano Hospital
Senator Kaka Shehu: When Lawyers in Borno Honor Their Own
NAF Airstrikes killed Scores of Bandits, as troops recover large numbers of rustled cows in Zamfara
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