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Human Rights Commission commits over N450M to ENDSARS Victims’ compensations

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***ICRC counters insinuation it partook in Negotiations for Release of Chibok Girls

***Says 50% of Missing Persons In Africa are from Nigeria

The executive secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chief Anthony Ojukwu has indicated that the EndSars panel that was established by the Commission in collaboration with the national economic council in all the states, has paid compensations to the tune of N450m to victims.
In the wake of the EndSars protest Nigerian youths raised the bar by protesting against police brutality which included human rights abuses, extra judicial killing and extortion from innocent Nigerians.
Hence in its bid to address the concerns of the youths the panels were established across States of the federation targeted at taking care of issues of human rights violations, cases of disappeared persons, issues of extortion, issues of extra judicial killing, issues of corruption and all kinds of human rights violation.
Chief ojukwu spoke in his remarks at a press conference organised by the Commission to mark the International Day of Disappeared persons (missing and kidnapped victims) in Abuja at the commission’s head office in Abuja on Tuesday
“This is the biggest effort by Nigeria in the history of human rights violation. I have never seen a government set up panel in about 29 States looking into the issues of human rights violation, it has never happened before.
“The Lagos State panel had paid compensations to victims of human rights. Last November this commission paid about N146m to victims of human rights violations. In the next one month we are going to pay about N300m to victims of human rights violation.
“This is a ground breaking effort which has never been done in this country before. With the coming on board of the ministry of Humanitarian affairs and the Secretary to the Government of the federation office with the icrc, there are better days ahead in dealing with issues of human rights violation
The International Committee of Red Cross Society (ICRC) at the event countered insinuations that it took part in the negotiations between the federal government of Nigeria and Boko Haram terrorists for the release of Chobok girls.
The committee said it was only involved in the provision of logistics support with other stakeholders of the international community.
Recall that on the night of 14–15 April 2014, 276 mostly Christian female students aged from 16 to 18 were kidnapped by the Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram from the Government Girls Secondary School at the town of Chibok in Borno State, Nigeria.

Prior to the raid, the school had been closed for four weeks due to deteriorating security conditions, but the girls were in attendance in order to take final exams in physics.
It was not until May 2016 that the first girl was found. A few others have also managed to escape over the years. Between 2016 and 2018, 103 of the victims were freed following negotiations between the Nigerian government and the militants.

Head of Delegation, International Conference of Red Cross Society, Mr. Yann Bonzon, who was responding to posers by journalists on why the ICRC has stopped talks with armed men for the release of the remaining kidnapped victims, said the ICRC only “provided logistics support with other stakeholders as the negotiations were ongoing which was part of its humanitarian mandates.

“I just want to say that ICRC has not been negotiating. ICRC has provided as a humanitarian organisation with this particular mandate, neutrality, the logistical support when that time negotiation were ongoing, with the authorities of Nigeria and abductors, for the release of those victims many years ago.”
While addressing the press earlier, Yann decried the continued rise of missing persons in Nigeria, especially in the North East, where he said the ongoing conflict in the region continued to have “devastating impacts on the people of the country”

He said: “Nigeria, unfortunately, has the largest number of missing persons ever registered by the International Committee of the Red Cross in Africa since the beginning of the country in 2009, more than 25,000 persons were reported missing to International Committee of the Red Cross and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.

“This includes more than 2000 cases that were registered after January 2021. The number of missing persons continue to rise every day. Yet, the ICRC noticed that this figure represent a fraction of a wider undocumented humanitarian tragedy.
“Furthermore, I would like to highlight that these figures reveal a very alarming fact that children are particularly more vulnerable than adults to disagreements in Nigeria as the conflicts continues raging the country.
More than half of the missing persons registered by the International Committee of the Red Cross the Nigerian Red Cross Society in northeast Nigeria were minors. At the time of disagreements.
We need immediate action that matches the scale and urgency of this humanitarian tragedy, he appealed.

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Obidient Movement tackles APC for threatening Peter Obi, demands accountability

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Peter Obi

The Obidient Movement has strongly condemned the recent remarks by Mr. Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary, describing his comments as reckless and a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking on Arise TV on January 5, 2025, Mr. Morka asserted that “Peter Obi has crossed the line so many times and he has what’s coming to him, and whatever he gets, he should manage it.” This statement, the movement insists, constitutes a veiled threat to Mr. Obi’s life and safety, as well as an assault on the fundamental principles of democracy.
The coordinator of the Obidient Movement Dr. Yunusa Tanko in a statement on Monday raised critical questions about the legitimacy of such remarks asking rhetorically what line Mr. Obi crossed, and who set these boundaries? What specific actions or statements justify such ominous threats? What exactly is ‘coming to him,’ as implied by the APC spokesman?
Such language, the group contended, reflects authoritarian tendencies and undermines the rule of law, which guarantees freedom of speech and protection from harm.
Explaining further, the statement indicated that Mr. Peter Obi’s commitment to issue-based politics, constructive criticism, and solutions-driven proposals has been a hallmark of his leadership.
“His New Year address, which evaluated Nigeria’s current challenges while offering actionable solutions, was devoid of hate or incitement.
“The APC’s attack on Mr. Obi shows a disturbing trend of silencing opposition voices rather than engaging in meaningful debate,” the statement noted.
The Obidient Movement issued a stern warning to the ruling APC and its agents, declaring that they will be held directly responsible should any harm come to Mr. Obi, his family, or supporters.
“This administration must know that democracy cannot thrive under threats and intimidation,” the statement emphasized.
The Obidient Movement therefore semanded an immediate retraction and apology from Mr. Felix Morka and the APC leadership.
The Movement demanded an investigation by security agencies into the intent and implications of Mr. Morka’s remarks.
It also demanded a commitment by the government to protect democratic values and promote constructive engagement over divisive rhetoric.
The monement vowed that it can not be intimidated, stressing that Nigerians must resist the slide into dictatorship by demanding accountability and justice.
“We urge Nigerians to stand united and protect the gains of democracy. We also call on the international community to take note of this emerging pattern of repression and help safeguard Nigeria’s democratic institutions.”
Finally, the Obidient Movement called on the APC to discipline its spokespersons and adopt a more mature approach to political discourse, focusing on solutions rather than threats.

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Incessant Military Strikes on Defenceless Nigerians Unacceptable

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An activist and public affairs commentator, Malam Salihu Othman Isah, has condemned what he described as the incessant air strikes and other forms of military attacks on defenceless civilians in some parts of the country.

Isah, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said in an interview that it is unprofessional for the Nigerian military to continue unleashing its weapons on people they are trained and paid to protect.

He also criticized the approach being deployed by the authorities—both the government and the Nigerian Armed Forces—to stop the killings, which have become a recurring situation in the country.

He disclosed that it is common knowledge that hapless and harmless Nigerians, going about their normal duties to seek their livelihoods, are sent to their early graves through avoidable military attacks.

According to him, some of these attacks and killings—both by the ground army and the Air Force—cannot be justified, as they are extrajudicial in nature.

“The army of any nation is established primarily to defend the territorial integrity of its people and not to eliminate them.

“The army is supposed to complement other arms of the security apparatus of a nation. It is meant to protect its citizens and not mow them down,” he reiterated.

It will be recalled that a few days ago, a fighter jet said to be carrying out an attack on Lakurawa bandits in Sokoto killed over ten innocent civilians during the operation.

An Air Force fighter jet, on a mission to dislodge the bandits, was reported to have terminated the lives of innocent villagers going about their legitimate businesses.

But in their usual manner, the Federal Government as well as the army authorities have set up commissions of inquiry primarily to ascertain the remote cause of the incident.

Isah expressed disappointment over the trend, saying, “We often travel this same lane anytime there is an occurrence.

“Why would the Chief of Army Staff constitute an inquiry to investigate the remote cause of the attack on defenceless Nigerians instead of acting decisively to tackle the failure of its men and officers?

“Instead, energies should also be directed at solution-seeking, beginning with holding errant officers responsible for such killings accountable.”

He lamented that investigations and inquiries have become too monotonous and counterproductive, surmising that real action is required.

The civil rights activist advocated that the armed forces must follow laid-down rules of engagement, which is a global practice required for any army operation to be successful, especially when carried out in civilian-populated areas.

Isah pointed out that, “Beyond the rules of engagement, every individual army officer must have service rules to guide their operations. And while these are available but flouted, there must be consequences.

“It is not enough to set up inquiries whose reports are kept secret and with no reprimand of violators.”

He further stressed that the trend has always been to condemn military actions against civilians, adding that such condemnations have come in torrents.

Nigerians in both high and low places have been unanimous in their criticisms after the recent attack.

“It’s sad that after this, we usually move on, awaiting the next incident and speculating where and how it will occur. Don’t expect any severe action against any of the officers responsible for this action. And next time, another attack will occur, the real targets will be missed, innocent souls will be terminated, and the vicious circle will continue with no end in sight. For how long will this be?” he noted.

The political scientist also stated that a nation with no disciplined army and no regard for its citizens is bound to fail. This is simply unacceptable.

“Henceforth, those found wanting should be called out, and punishment must be meted out to serve as a deterrent in the future.”

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Bayelsa Groom Flees Engagement Ceremony Over Endless Cash Demands in Imo

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***Elders’ N850,000 Refund Request Sparks Drama

What was meant to be a joyous union turned into high drama in Imo State when a Bayelsa man, Biobelemoye David, fled his engagement ceremony after being subjected to a series of outrageous financial demands by his bride’s family.
The ceremony, which began on a celebratory note, took a dramatic turn as David faced mounting charges, including a N1.5 million bill for food, tents, chairs, and a public address system, in addition to a N100,000 bride price that both families had initially agreed upon.
However, tensions escalated when David was asked to pay an extra N50,000 fine for impregnating his fiancée before the ceremony. The fines didn’t stop there—he was slapped with another N10,000 penalty for mistakenly taking a wrong route to the bride’s homestead and a N15,000 charge to appease elders who had grown impatient with his late arrival.
The breaking point came when David was subjected to a bizarre test. Twelve veiled women were paraded before him, and he was asked to identify his fiancée. When he guessed incorrectly, he was fined N15,000 yet again.
But the final straw was the elders’ demand for an N850,000 refund—allegedly covering the bride’s school fees and upkeep since childhood. Unable to contain his frustration, David excused himself under the guise of using the toilet.
Eyewitnesses later confirmed that David switched off his phone and was spotted boarding a bus back to Bayelsa, leaving the ceremony in chaos and disbelief.

The incident has since sparked widespread debate on social media, with many condemning the excessive demands and calling for an end to exploitative marriage practices.

Meanwhile, efforts to reach David for comments have been unsuccessful as his whereabouts remain unknown.

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