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Poverty, Inequalities Major Triggers of Irregular Migration, Says NHRC

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Poverty, Inequalities Major Triggers of Irregular Migration, Says NHRC

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission has identified economic and political vulnerabilities such as poverty, inequalities, conflict and human insecurity as the major triggers to irregular migration, trafficking and smuggling of migrants.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, who stated this in Abuja during his welcome remarks at the training of NHRC staff on human rights and migration, observed that human rights are at the heart of migration and must be respected in compliance with international best practices.

According to him, there is need to adopt a human rights-based approach in dealing with issues of migration since “it extends to other core human rights such as the right to dignity, the right to adequate standard of living, the right to quality health and education amongst others”.

He however regretted that in our world today, migrants face dehumanizing conditions, illegal arrests and prolonged detention, torture, inhumane and degrading treatment, life threatening conditions on land and sea and that such occurrences should be the concern of stakeholders.

The NHRC boss called on stakeholders including the law enforcement agencies to pay more attention to irregular migration and smuggling across our borders, adding that “it is important that we do not lose sight of trafficking within Nigeria”, considering it socio-economic and human rights implications.

He promised that the Commission will continue to work with partners within and outside government to strengthen policies and practices that impact on the human rights of migrants and victims of trafficking and smuggling of migrants.

The Executive Secretary who is a Fellow Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (FICMC) underscored the importance of the two-day training programme to the staff of the Commission saying “as human rights advocates and frontline defenders, staff of the Commission stand on a strong legal and institutional footing to tackle this present and emerging styles of human rights violations.

The Senior Human Rights Adviser, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Adwoa Kufuor Owusu, on her part, said migration issues affect countless of lives of individuals and communities. She added that migration can transform societies positively but if not managed properly, the challenges of migration can lead to heinous human right violations.

According to Owusu, the training is to reaffirm commitments to core human rights principles of dignity, equality, and non-discrimination for everyone, everywhere regardless of migration status.

The training was attended by 29 senior and management staff of the NHRC across ten states of the federation with land and air borders through which migration can easily take place, similar training will soon be conducted for relevant stakeholders.

Poverty, Inequalities Major Triggers of Irregular Migration, Says NHRC

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Crime

Armed bandits attack Kwandawa village in Sokoto, most kidnapped victims rescued

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Armed bandits attack Kwandawa village in Sokoto, most kidnapped victims rescued

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits attacked Kwandawa village in Sokoto State in the early hours of November 26, kidnapping several residents, but most of the victims were rescued unharmed.

Zagazola report that the assailants, described as numerous and carrying sophisticated weapons, invaded the village around 2:30 a.m., firing sporadically and abducting an unspecified number of people.

A coordinated response engaged the attackers in a prolonged gun duel, forcing them to flee into nearby bushes with apparent gunshot injuries.

While the majority of the kidnapped villagers were rescued unhurt, two victims remain unaccounted for. No casualties were reported among the villagers or the responding security personnel.

Security forces are combing the surrounding area to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the bandits, with neighboring districts alerted to block potential escape routes.

Armed bandits attack Kwandawa village in Sokoto, most kidnapped victims rescued

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Crime

Boko Haram attack kills vigilante in Yobe

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Boko Haram attack kills vigilante in Yobe

By: Zagazola Makama

A vigilante member was shot dead on Wednesday during an attack by suspected Boko Haram fighters at a vigilante camp in Kanamma town, Yusufari Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred at about 1839 hours when the assailants stormed the camp, opening fire on the victims.

The deceased, identified as Dauda Bamai, 35, of Kanamma, was pronounced dead by a medical doctor in Kanamma.

Security forces have intensified monitoring and patrols in the area to track down the attackers.

Boko Haram attack kills vigilante in Yobe

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Fake news and its human cost: the case of Maj.-Gen. Uba

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Fake news and its human cost: the case of Maj.-Gen. Uba

By: Zagazola Makama

The promotion of Brig.-Gen. SM Uba, Director Defence Information, to the prestigious rank of Major General should have been a moment of pride and celebration for his family, colleagues and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Instead, it coincided with one of the most disturbing episodes of misinformation targeting a serving senior military office an episode that point to the devastating human cost of fake news.

In recent days, malicious actors repeatedly circulated photographs of the officer online, falsely claiming he was dead. While the Defence Headquarters swiftly debunked the rumour, the damage was already done.

Unknown to many, the fake news triggered panic, trauma and emotional distress within his family. When the false reports first emerged, his wife and children broke down in tears, unable to process the sudden shock. Despite repeated attempts to reassure them that he was alive and well, they remained inconsolable until they travelled to Abuja to see him physically.

Even more heartbreaking is the fact that as at Wednesday, the same misleading posts were still circulating at the exact moment he was promoted to his new rank as a Major General.

This contrast the spread of a death hoax against the backdrop of a well-deserved promotion captures the cruel reality of misinformation in the digital age. It is not just a threat to public order. It destroys families, inflicts psychological harm, undermines institutions and disrespects the honour of those who dedicate their lives to national service.

Fake news and its human cost: the case of Maj.-Gen. Uba

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