Outrage as ActionAid Raises Alarm Over School Bullying, Child Protection Failures

By: Michael Mike

Fresh concerns over the safety of schoolchildren in Nigeria have emerged following allegations of violence and bullying at Igbinedion Education Centre, prompting strong condemnation from ActionAid Nigeria, which warned of a deepening crisis in the country’s child protection system.

The organisation described the incident as a serious breach of children’s rights, saying it exposes widespread institutional weaknesses that allow abuse to persist within school environments.

Speaking in Abuja, ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, said the case reflects more than isolated misconduct, pointing instead to systemic failures in monitoring, reporting, and accountability across the education sector.

He stressed that every child is entitled to protection from violence, in line with provisions of the Child Rights Act, warning that when abuse goes undetected or unresolved, it signals a breakdown in the duty of care expected from schools and relevant authorities.

According to him, the incident highlights the inability of existing safeguarding systems to identify early warning signs or prevent escalation, raising questions about the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms in schools.

ActionAid noted that the situation at the school is only a reflection of a broader, largely hidden problem of bullying and school-related gender-based violence across Nigeria. It said many cases remain unreported due to fear, stigma, and the absence of trusted channels for victims to seek help.

The organisation also expressed concern over the circulation of videos linked to the incident, reportedly shared by students, describing it as evidence of failing internal reporting systems and a growing reliance on social media as a last resort for exposing abuse.

It criticised what it called a reactive approach to child protection, where authorities often respond only after incidents gain public attention, rather than through proactive monitoring and enforcement.

Calling for urgent reforms, ActionAid urged the Federal Ministry of Education and other regulatory bodies, including the Universal Basic Education Commission and the National Human Rights Commission, to strengthen implementation of safeguarding policies and establish effective reporting and tracking systems across schools.

The group also called on schools to introduce confidential reporting mechanisms, enforce strict disciplinary measures, and provide continuous training for staff on child protection, conflict management, and trauma-informed care.

Law enforcement agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, were urged to ensure thorough investigation and prosecution of offenders, while parents were encouraged to support their children in speaking out against abuse.

ActionAid warned that unless urgent and coordinated steps are taken, cases of school-based violence could continue to escalate, putting the safety and wellbeing of Nigerian children at serious risk.

Outrage as ActionAid Raises Alarm Over School Bullying, Child Protection Failures

Plateau police arrest suspected bandit informant in Dengi-Kanam

By: Zagazola Makama

The Plateau State Police Command has arrested a suspected informant believed to have aided bandits responsible for a deadly ambush that killed three officers and eight soldiers of Operation Enduring Peace along Wanka Village in Kyaram District, Dengi-Kanam Local Government Area.

Police sources identified the suspect as Hashimu Adamu, the village head of Wanka Village. He is alleged to have provided intelligence to the bandits who terrorised the area.

The command said the suspect is currently undergoing interrogation, while investigations continue to apprehend the perpetrators of the ambush. Concerted efforts by security agencies remain ongoing to ensure the arrest of all involved in the attack.

Further updates on the investigation will be communicated, the police said.

Plateau police arrest suspected bandit informant in Dengi-Kanam

DICAN to Host Global Summit on Combating Disinformation and Protecting Investment

By: Michael Mike

The Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) will convene its second Diplomatic, Security, Trade, and Investment International Conference on May 20, 2026, in Abuja, in a move aimed at tackling the escalating threat of foreign information manipulation and its impact on national security and economic stability.

The summit will focus on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), a growing form of hybrid warfare that can distort public perception, undermine diplomatic relations, and deter foreign investment. Organisers say the conference will serve as a platform for shaping international strategies to detect, neutralise, and prevent the weaponisation of false information.

DICAN Chairman, Idehai Frederick, explained that the event seeks to “promote collaborative truth across borders, ensuring that misinformation does not destabilise local markets or scare away investors.” He added that building a secure information environment is essential for sustainable trade, investment, and diplomacy.

The summit will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including diplomats, intelligence officials, media professionals, regulators, and business leaders, with the aim of strengthening coordination across key sectors. Discussions will cover international standards for countering state-sponsored disinformation, improving early-warning systems for hybrid threats, and reinforcing credible reporting to protect national interests.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who serves as DICAN’s Grand Patron, will deliver the keynote address. He will be joined by high-profile facilitators, including the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, alongside security experts, regulators, and private sector leaders.

The conference follows the success of DICAN’s inaugural international gathering in July 2025, which attracted representatives from over 60 diplomatic missions, civil society organisations, and academic institutions.

Organisers say the 2026 summit is particularly timely as governments, media, and businesses worldwide face unprecedented challenges from misinformation campaigns, which threaten to disrupt trade, erode trust, and destabilise economies.

By convening leading voices across diplomacy, intelligence, media, and business, DICAN aims to position Nigeria at the forefront of global efforts to safeguard information integrity, protect investment flows, and ensure that the country remains a stable and attractive hub for international commerce.

This event underscores a growing recognition that defending truth in the digital age is not only a matter of public information but a strategic priority for national security and economic growth.

DICAN to Host Global Summit on Combating Disinformation and Protecting Investment