UNODC Heralds Stakeholders for Assistance to Victims of Revenge Porn

By: Michael Mike

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, (UNODC) has heralded stakeholders to find way to assist victims of revenge porn.

The UNODC Nigeria Country Representative, Cheikh Touré while rallying stakeholders in the security sector to address the growing incidence of revenge pornography, at the opening of a three-day workshop on Cybercrime and Violence Against Women Through Information and Communication Technologies, (ICT), themed ‘Cyber-Interpersonal Violence: The Challenge of Responding to Revenge Porn,’ on Tuesday in Abuja, noted that cyber-violence of revenge porn is one of the most deeply personal forms of online harm that demands urgent attention to tackle because it tramples on human dignity and inflicts life-long emotional harm on victims.

Touré further said: “The non-consensual sharing of intimate images, commonly and painfully known as revenge porn is not just a technical issue, it’s not just a legal challenge, it is a profound violation of privacy, dignity, autonomy and security.

“It is a form of violence that leaves scars, not only on skins, but in lives and it is disproportionately affecting women though lets me be clear, it impacts men, young people and individuals from all walks of life. The trauma is universal, the devastation can be lifelong.”

The Country Representative stated that the United Nations Convention on Against Cybercrime, (UNCAC), also known as Hanoi Convention remains the key global legal instrument in combating all forms of cybercrimes as it has provisions that enable countries work together to fight the menace.

Touré, while urging participants to work together in understanding how to use the UNCAC to protect the public, said: “This workshop is not just about legal framework, this is about people, it’s about prevention, it’s about healing.

“It means closing jurisdictional gaps, so no perpetrator can hide behind borders and or technology. And overall, it means ensuring no survivor is left without justice, safety or support. And this is about building a Nigeria in a world where the digital space is not a battlefield for dignity, but a place where rights are protected.”

On her part, the Deputy Head of Mission of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Nigeria, Kristin Wæringsaasen, said her government is solidly behind the UNODC, and willing to offer support to ensure the fight against the cybercrime of revenge porn and other cyber-violence are brought to a halt.

She said Norway’s partnership reflects a growing international commitment to addressing the complex challenges posed by technology-enabled violence.

Wæringsaasen said: “Digital technologies have transformed our societies in a profound way, they are open up new avenues for education, economic growth, civic engagement and global connectivity. But alongside these opportunities we are witnessing the emergence of new and deeply concerning forms of violence, particularly against women and girls.

“Cyber-related violence, including online harassment, exploitation and abuse, is not confined to virtual spaces, it has real world consequences, undermining safety, dignity and human rights. It’s enforcing existing inequalities and creates new barriers to participation, especially for women and girls.”

She however assured that Norway is proud to support UNODC, both globally and here in Nigeria through its development cooperation which aims to promote inclusive governance, human rights and the rule of law.

She said: “We believe that a strong and coordinated response to cyber-related violence is essential to achieving these goals. This workshop is an opportunity to share knowledge, strengthen institutional capacity and build a mutual sector response that is both effective and sustainable.

“It is also a chance to centre the voices of survivors, civil society and youth, whose experience and insights must guide our effort.”

UNODC Heralds Stakeholders for Assistance to Victims of Revenge Porn

Buratai: Wike’s verbal assault on soldier undermines national security — he must apologise

By: Our Reporter

Tukur Buratai, former chief of army staff, has criticised Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), over a face-off with military personnel over a disputed plot of land.

On Tuesday, videos surfaced online showing Wike in a heated argument with military personnel at a site in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

In a statement, Buratai said the incident poses a clear “threat to national security” and requires an “immediate and serious response”.

“His public disparagement of a uniformed officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces transcends mere misconduct; it represents a palpable threat to national security and institutional integrity,” the statement reads.

“A minister’s verbal assault on a military officer in uniform is an act of profound indiscipline that strikes at the core of our nation’s command and control structure.

“It deliberately undermines the chain of command, disrespects the authority of the Commander-in-Chief, and grievously wounds the morale of every individual who serves under the Nigerian flag.

“Such actions erode the very foundation of discipline upon which our national security apparatus stands.

“This cannot be dismissed as political theatre. It is a reckless endangerment of national order. This action by Wike is clearly an indication of undermining the federal government’s authority.”

Buratai asked Wike to immediately issue an apology to President Bola Tinubu as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Nigeria, and the officer “whose honour was violated”.

“Our nation’s security must come first. It is time for decisive action, not politics of military bashing. The integrity of our Armed Forces demands nothing less,” Buratai said.
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NHRC Raises Alarm Over Human Rights Abuses, 406,000 Complaints Recorded in October

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed deep concern over the rising number of human rights violations across Nigeria, revealing that it received more than 406,000 complaints and monitored over 160 incidents of rights abuses in October 2025 alone.

Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (OFR, SAN, FICMC), made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja while presenting the October 2025 Human Rights Situation Dashboard, a monthly evidence-based report used to track patterns of human rights violations nationwide.

The Dashboard, now in its 22nd month, serves as a tool for policy guidance, advocacy, and public accountability, offering detailed analysis of complaints received and incidents observed through the NHRC’s network of 38 state offices and its Human Rights Observatory.

“The Dashboard has become an indispensable tool for evidence-based advocacy, policy direction, and public accountability,” Ojukwu said. “It provides a mirror to the state of our human rights situation as we continue to confront conflict, insecurity, and criminality.”

According to the NHRC, 406,088 complaints were received in October, reflecting persistent issues around arbitrary detention, police misconduct, sexual and gender-based violence, access to justice, and violations of civil liberties.

Although the Commission recorded a slight drop in killings and abductions compared to September which Ojukwu described as a possible sign of improved security he said the overall picture remains grim, with “hundreds of lives lost in coordinated attacks across Niger, Borno, Plateau, Kaduna, Kogi, and Kwara States.”

“Farmers, herders, women, children, and entire communities have suffered attacks and displacements,” he lamented. “These are not statistics; they are Nigerian mothers, fathers, and children whose dignity has been violated.”

Ojukwu called for urgent intervention by both state and non-state actors, stressing that “the protection of human rights is inseparable from national stability and development.”

The NHRC chief highlighted growing concerns around suicide, extra-judicial killings, torture, inhumane treatment in schools, and the violation of fundamental freedoms such as movement, assembly, and religion.

He said such violations, while often overshadowed by insecurity, erode public trust in institutions and must be addressed through timely reporting, accountability, and reform.

Dr. Ojukwu also weighed in on recent diplomatic tensions following U.S. threats to intervene in Nigeria’s internal affairs over the reported killing of Christians by extremists.

While acknowledging that religiously motivated killings have occurred, he urged for a more nuanced understanding of Nigeria’s conflict dynamics.

“It is true that conflicts and insurgency in Nigeria have led to killings by religious extremists targeting Christian civilians,” he noted. “But it is important to highlight that citizens from other faiths have also been victims.”

Ojukwu stressed that the Nigerian government’s constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property as enshrined in Section 14(2) of the 1999 Constitution must remain paramount.

He, however, cautioned against external interference, insisting that terrorism and violent extremism are complex internal challenges requiring cooperation, not threats.

“Boko Haram and ISWAP have the ideology of Islamising Nigeria,” he explained. “They believe some Nigerian Muslims are not true Muslims and should be killed like Christians. The common enemy here is Boko Haram, who is killing both Christians and Muslims in Nigeria for religious reasons.”

He called on the international community particularly the United States to support Nigeria’s counterterrorism and peacebuilding efforts instead of issuing punitive warnings.

“Rather than threats, what Nigeria needs is partnership and mutual respect,” he said. “Only through collaboration can we end terrorism and secure the lives and liberties of all Nigerians.”

Reaffirming the Commission’s independence and objectivity, Ojukwu said the NHRC remains guided by the Paris Principles, which emphasize impartiality, transparency, and adherence to the rule of law.

He urged all stakeholders government agencies, the media, civil society, and international partners — to interpret human rights data responsibly and recognize the complex realities shaping Nigeria’s security environment.

“The Dashboard is a tool for awareness, advocacy, and action not an instrument of division or blame,” he stressed. “Only through collective responsibility can we uphold the dignity and rights of every person.”

Ojukwu also appreciated the NHRC’s partners including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the Government of Norway for supporting the Tripartite Partnership Programme (TPP) that powers the Commission’s human rights monitoring work.

He commended the dedication of NHRC’s state and FCT offices for gathering the data and the media for amplifying the Commission’s voice.

The October Dashboard underscores a paradox in Nigeria’s human rights landscape: a gradual reduction in overt insecurity metrics such as killings and abductions, yet a surge in institutional violations and socio-economic distress indicators like suicide and police misconduct.

Analysts say the NHRC’s data-driven approach has made the Commission one of the few government institutions providing consistent, verifiable insight into the intersection of security, justice, and governance.

As Ojukwu concluded, the human rights situation remains a test of Nigeria’s democratic maturity:

“Our shared commitment to justice and dignity,” he said, “remains the foundation upon which Nigeria can thrive.”

NHRC Raises Alarm Over Human Rights Abuses, 406,000 Complaints Recorded in October