News
UNIC Highlights Peace, Security, Human Rights, Information Integrity as Critical Focus Areas in Nigeria
UNIC Highlights Peace, Security, Human Rights, Information Integrity as Critical Focus Areas in Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria has highlighted peace and security, human rights, information integrity, as its critical focus areas in the country this year
UNIC in advancing partnership towards advocacy and sensitization of policy makers and the public on the United Nations themes and mandates, convened a partners’ briefing engagement in Abuja.
The engagement, which took place on Thursday online and focused on the 2025 priorities of UNIC, was presided over by the UNIC Director, Ronald Kayanja, and attended by 106 partners organisations from across the country.
The Director informed the audience of the year 2025 being the 80th anniversary of the United Nations; 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action; the 10th year of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); COP 30 and the 10th year since the adoption of the Paris Agreement on climate change; and the Pact for the Future.
The Pact, he said further, committed Member States and the UN system to mobilise around actions for youth and
future generations.
Kayanja highlighted peace and security, human rights, information integrity, as critical focus areas for UNIC this year.
He explained that: “We will work with partners to address challenges to the integrity of the information ecosystem, implementing the Global Principles for Information Integrity and relevant aspects of the Global Digital Compact. It is important to address the dangers caused by mis – and disinformation and hate speech to societies, especially in the wake of AI.”
The participants were also briefed on the UN International Days, and the need for collaboration with other stakeholders and UNIC for their observance.
Participants thanked the leadership of UNIC for bringing so many NGOs to the table to discuss the UN priorities for the year.
The President of the Nigeria Environmental Society, Efe Okobia, requested for more involvement of UNIC in the activities of CSOs across Nigeria.
The Executive Director of Mind The Gap Initiative, Tayo Olosunde, advocated for increased use of technology by CSOs to ensure inclusive and more participation of diverse people.
In their interventions, Foluke Ademokun of Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation; Doyin Ogunye of Recycling Scheme for Women and Youth Empowerment (RESWAYE) called for more collaborations and strategic alliance between and amongst NGOs with focus and values.
A similar engagement is planned with journalists in both print and electronic media as well as those operating with online channels.
UNIC Highlights Peace, Security, Human Rights, Information Integrity as Critical Focus Areas in Nigeria
Fourteen Abducted Victims Released in Maru, Zamfara State; Two Killed in Captivity
By: Zagazola Makama
Fourteen victims abducted in December 2025, including six family members of Inspector Hussaini Abubakar of Maru Police Division, have been released by their captors.
Zagazola reliably gathered that the release occurred at about 1:00 p.m. on Feb. 26, 2026. Unfortunately, two of the victims, identified as Bashir Marafa, aged 45, and Halliru Kabiru, aged 50, were killed while in captivity.
Sources added that a pregnant woman among the abductees delivered a baby girl while in captivity. The victims are currently receiving medical attention at the General Hospital, Maru.
Fourteen Abducted Victims Released in Maru, Zamfara State; Two Killed in Captivity
Two Abducted Victims Rescued in Tsafe, Zamfara; One Killed in Bandit Attack at Talata Mafara
By: Zagazola Makama
Two persons abducted earlier this month in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been rescued, while a separate bandit attack in Talata Mafara LGA left one person dead and others missing.
Sources confirmed that Bashir Adamu Iyatawa, 42, and Kenneth Allahmagani, 35, both from Zaria City, Kaduna State, were abducted at Unguwar Chida Village in Tsafe on Feb. 16, 2026.
They were rescued on Feb. 26, debriefed, and later taken to a hospital for medical attention before being handed over to their relatives.
In a separate incident, armed bandits loyal to a local bandit leader, Na Sanda, attacked the outskirts of Jangebe town in Talata Mafara LGA on Feb. 27 at about 2:00 a.m.
The attack resulted in the death of Misbawu Aminu, 30, and the abduction of an unspecified number of persons to an undisclosed location.
Joint troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA and local vigilante groups are reported to be pursuing the fleeing bandits. Authorities have assured that efforts to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the culprits are ongoing.
Two Abducted Victims Rescued in Tsafe, Zamfara; One Killed in Bandit Attack at Talata Mafara
Boko Haram Attack on CJTF Leaves One Dead in Gwoza, Borno state
By: Zagazola Makama
One member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) was killed following an ambush by suspected ISWAP terrorists along the Warave–Gwoza Road in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources said the incident occurred on February 25 at about 7:30 a.m. when gunmen attacked members of the CJTF and hunters on routine patrol. Fifty-year-old Bello Adamu, a member of the CJTF, was fatally injured in the attack.
Army troops of Operation HADIN KAI, Police Tactical Units, and CJTF personnel visited the scene, documented the incident, and evacuated the victim to Gwoza General Hospital, where he was certified dead on arrival. His body was released to his family for burial according to Islamic rites.
Monitoring of the area continues to prevent further attacks.
Boko Haram Attack on CJTF Leaves One Dead in Gwoza, Borno state
Fourteen Abducted Victims Released in Maru, Zamfara State; Two Killed in Captivity
Two Abducted Victims Rescued in Tsafe, Zamfara; One Killed in Bandit Attack at Talata Mafara
Boko Haram Attack on CJTF Leaves One Dead in Gwoza, Borno state
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News10 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
