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  • Tackling Gender-Based Violence in Rural Nigeria: Pathways to Equality and Peace

    Tackling Gender-Based Violence in Rural Nigeria: Pathways to Equality and Peace

    By Raliat Abdulkadir

    ABUJA – Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations in rural Nigeria, driven by unequal power relations, rigid gender norms, and deeply rooted cultural practices. While women and girls are disproportionately affected, men and boys can also be victims of gender-related harm.

    GBV occurs in both private and public spaces—ranging from homes and schools to workplaces and community gatherings. The major forms include physical, sexual, emotional, economic violence, and harmful traditional practices, all of which hinder social progress and peacebuilding in rural areas.

    Forms of Gender-Based Violence

    Physical violence involves acts that cause bodily harm through unlawful force, including assault, confinement, and, in severe cases, manslaughter. Sexual violence encompasses any non-consensual sexual act such as rape or sexual assault, while emotional or psychological violence involves coercion, defamation, threats, or verbal abuse that cause mental distress.

    Harmful Traditional Practices and Gender Roles

    In many rural communities, entrenched traditions continue to reinforce gender inequality. Women are often judged by their ability to bear sons, denied leadership roles, and restricted to domestic responsibilities. Practices such as **early and child marriage** persist, limiting girls’ access to education and career opportunities.

    Decision-making within households often rests solely with men, guided by cultural or religious norms that perpetuate women’s dependency. These practices not only restrict women’s autonomy but also undermine community development.

    – Economic Inequality as a Form of Violence

    Economic violence manifests through systemic barriers that limit women’s participation in education, employment, and leadership. Gender stereotypes dictate career paths—men in engineering and politics, women in teaching and caregiving—thereby reinforcing income gaps.

    Women are frequently underpaid, overlooked for promotions, and underrepresented in decision-making positions. Moreover, girls are often withdrawn from school earlier than boys, diminishing their chances of economic independence and perpetuating cycles of poverty and subordination.

    Strategies to Address Gender-Based Violence

    Combating GBV in rural Nigeria requires a multifaceted approach. Key strategies include:

    – Education and Retention of Girls:

    Partnering with parents and communities to eliminate barriers such as school fees, long distances, and safety concerns.

    – Vocational and Life Skills Training:
    Equipping both boys and girls with diverse skills to reduce gender-limited career paths.

    – School-Based Equality Programs:
    Integrating gender equality into curricula and forming mentorship clubs that promote respect, leadership, and equal opportunity.

    – Legal Enforcement: Strengthening and enforcing laws against child marriage, domestic violence, and gender discrimination.

    – Grassroots-Government Collaboration: Linking rural women’s groups with local councils to influence decision-making and policy development.

    -“Partnerships with NGOs: Working with women’s associations, farmers’ cooperatives, and youth groups to expand the reach of advocacy and support services.

    Conclusion
    Deconstructing gender-based violence in rural Nigeria demands sustained commitment through education, legal reform, economic empowerment, and cultural transformation. True change requires shifting both individual attitudes and institutional structures that perpetuate inequality.

    By addressing these systemic issues, Nigeria can foster peacebuilding, social justice, and sustainable development across its rural communities.

  • African Civil Society Groups Condemn ACHPR for Congratulating Paul Biya Amid Cameroon Election Violence

    African Civil Society Groups Condemn ACHPR for Congratulating Paul Biya Amid Cameroon Election Violence

    By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

    A coalition of African civil society organizations has condemned the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) for sending a congratulatory letter to President Paul Biya following Cameroon’s disputed elections, describing the gesture as a threat to the Commission’s credibility and impartiality.

    In a joint statement released through the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) platform, the coalition said the ACHPR’s letter of congratulations “undermines its core mandate to promote and protect human rights” across the continent, especially amid ongoing reports of election-related violence and fatalities in Cameroon.

    The organizations expressed disappointment that the Commission would issue such a statement despite credible allegations of human rights violations, intimidation, and irregularities surrounding the electoral process. They further criticized the ACHPR’s silence on similar crises in other African nations, including Tanzania, where political tensions and human rights abuses have drawn global concern.

    The coalition, which includes the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), the Centre for Human Rights, and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, among others, urged the ACHPR to reaffirm its commitment to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The groups called for independent investigations into human rights abuses linked to elections and more proactive interventions in political crises across Africa.

    The statement, titled “Joint Civil Society Statement: African Commission’s Letter to President Biya,” emphasized that the ACHPR’s action was “incompatible with its mandate” and risked eroding public trust in the institution.

    “We note with regret that on October 27, 2025, the African Commission sent a letter to President Paul Biya in connection with the electoral process,” the statement read. “This act contradicts the Commission’s responsibility to investigate and consider allegations of human rights violations under its charter.”

    The signatories argued that the congratulatory message sent to Biya — whose administration has faced accusations of corruption, electoral manipulation, and repression — sends the wrong signal to citizens across Africa struggling for democracy and accountability.

    “The deepening crisis of governance, the weakening of institutions, and the manipulation of electoral processes have created an environment where corrupt and authoritarian leaders thrive,” the coalition added. “Citizens across the continent have taken to the streets to demand accountability and reforms, often at great personal risk.”

    The organizations concluded by urging the African Commission to restore public confidence through impartiality, justice, and adherence to its founding principles. They stressed that the ACHPR must prioritize human rights protection over political diplomacy to remain a credible voice for the African people.

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  • Lift Africa Founder Aisha Hamman Nominated for 2025 Future Awards Africa Prize for Advocacy and Activism

    Lift Africa Founder Aisha Hamman Nominated for 2025 Future Awards Africa Prize for Advocacy and Activism

    Nigerian lawyer and human rights advocate, Aisha Hamman, Founder and Executive Director of Lift Africa Foundation, has been nominated for the 2025 Future Awards Africa (TFAA) Prize for Advocacy and Activism.

    The annual award celebrates young Africans creating meaningful social impact across the continent. Hamman earned the nomination in recognition of her tireless efforts toward promoting gender justice, social inclusion, and access to justice for vulnerable groups, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

    Through her leadership at Lift Africa Foundation, Hamman has spearheaded several transformative initiatives, including:

    – Justice Shield: A program offering free legal aid, paralegal training, and comprehensive support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

    – Clear Her Path: A campaign that promotes education, empowerment, and leadership opportunities for girls and women.

    Her advocacy has led to policy reforms, strengthened community awareness, and provided direct assistance to thousands of beneficiaries across Nigeria.

    Speaking on her nomination, Hamman described it as both a personal honor and a testament to the resilience of the communities she serves.

    “The nomination is not just an honor for me, but a recognition of the communities we serve and the young people leading change across Africa,” she said.

    “We remain committed to ensuring justice, empowerment, and accountability are not just ideals, but lived realities.”

    According to TFAA organizers, this year’s nominees are “fearless changemakers driving impact, challenging systems, and empowering communities to create lasting transformation.”

    The 2025 edition of The Future Awards Africa, themed “Threads of Legacy,” will celebrate exceptional young leaders shaping the continent through innovation, governance, culture, and social impact.

  • CDHR Condemns Police Clampdown, Demands Unconditional Release of Nnamdi Kanu Protesters

    CDHR Condemns Police Clampdown, Demands Unconditional Release of Nnamdi Kanu Protesters

    By Jabiru Hassan

    The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has condemned the disruption of a peaceful protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore in Abuja, describing the police response as an abuse of power and a violation of citizens’ constitutional rights.

    In a statement issued on Wednesday, the rights group said the protest, which was organized to demand the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, was a constitutionally guaranteed peaceful assembly. The group criticized the use of tear gas and force by officers of the Nigerian Police, calling it “unnecessary, excessive, and utterly condemnable.”

    “The protest was peaceful, and the deployment of tear gas and force against unarmed civilians represents a gross violation of their fundamental rights,” CDHR said. “Freedom of assembly and expression are inalienable human rights enshrined in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution and international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory.”

    The organization maintained that the government cannot criminalize citizens for peacefully expressing dissent or dissatisfaction with government policies, actions, or inactions.

    “It is oppressive and undemocratic to subject individuals to inhumane treatment for exercising their right to peaceful assembly,” the statement added. “Such actions constitute a direct assault on the sensibilities of Nigerians and undermine the very foundation of democracy.”

    CDHR further stated that the use of state security agencies to suppress legitimate grievances only deepens public resentment and could lead to greater unrest in the future.

    “We are particularly alarmed by the arrest of several protesters in Abuja. We demand the **immediate and unconditional release** of all individuals detained for participating in the peaceful protest,” the group declared.

    Describing the arrests as “a blatant attempt to criminalize dissent,” the human rights body warned that continued efforts by the government to silence opposition voices could have grave consequences for Nigeria’s peace and stability.

    “The government’s attempt to suppress dissent will only breed anger and frustration among citizens, potentially leading to widespread instability,” the group cautioned.

    The CDHR reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the situation to ensure that victims of rights violations receive justice.

    “We will continue to hold authorities accountable and ensure that those whose rights have been trampled upon in this and other protests get the justice they deserve,” the statement concluded.

  • Torture as a Violation of Human Rights in Nigeria

    Torture as a Violation of Human Rights in Nigeria

    By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu

    Article 1(1) of the United Nations Convention Against Torture explains that torture means ” any act by which severe pain or suffering whether physical or mentally, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected o f having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions”.

    Conventional security agents in Nigeria, and those providing ancillary policing functions such as vigilantes, community police formations, among others have a history of deploying torture as a means of extracting confessions from suspects, albeit under duress.

    This negates the provisions of Section 28 of the Nigeria Evidence Act, which stipulates that” A confession made by an accused person is irrelevant in a criminal proceeding, if the making of the confession appears to the court to have been caused by any inducement, threat or promise having reference to the charge against the accused person, proceeding from a person in authority and sufficient, in the opinion of the court, to give the accused person grounds which would appear to him reasonable for supposing that by making it he would gain any advantage or avoid any evil of a temporal nature”.

    Conventional security services or those claiming to provide security services in various locations have adopted both physical and psychological methods of torture on victims. These include continuous blows with either fists, gun butts, matchetes or heavy sticks; sexual torture such as rape, threat of imminent rape, insertion of broomsticks or broken objects into victims genitals; forced positions; pouring of contaminated water which may sometimes contain faeces and urine.

    Others are suspension or hanging in the air through a hook or some other hard object in the roof of an isolated room; deprivation of food and water for a long period of time; flogging with horsewhips, cane or electric cable; nakedness; rudeness and obscene insult.

    Torture strongly contravenes several local and international legal instruments on human rights such as articles 4 and 5 of the African Charter on Human And Peoples’ Rights which provide that” Human beings are inviolable. Every human being shall be entitled to respect for his life and integrity of his person. No one may be arbitrarily deprived of this right”; Every individual shall have the right to be respect of the dignity inherent in a human being and to the recognition of his legal status. All forms of exploitation and degradation of man particularly slavery, slave trade, torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment and treatment shall be probihited.

    Also, chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution provides the following rights to a Nigerian citizen: right to life, human dignity( freedom from degrading treatment, torture) and personal liberty; right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty; right to remain silent; right against self- incrimination; right to fair, open and impartial judicial process, among other rights.

    To ensure that the menace of torture is addressed in Nigeria, all international treaties should be domesticated. The federal government, as a matter of urgency, should ratify international treaties containing safeguards against torture and other illtratments, including International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its first Optional Protocol; and the UN Convention against Torture; the excesses of local vigilantes, community police formations or any other group claiming to provide policing functions for communities should be strictly checked by judicial processes.

    The appropriate quarters should not hesitate to apply punishments when necessary to erring groups, even to the extent of disbanding such groups. Their functions should be restricted to providing intelligence to the police, and they should not be allowed to carry firearms to avoid abuse. On the other hand, recruitment of members into these groups should strictly be based on credibility, and individuals with questionable characters and no visible means of livelihood should not be recruited into those local security arrangements.

    Conventional security agents should be exposed to some academic trainings in human psychology, the constitution to enhance civilian- police relations, and respect for human rights. Also, locations where persons are secretly detained should be unraveled and get rid of.

    It is also suggested that the” teeth for tat” principle should be applied here in the sense that in the course of torture, the victim dies, the perpetrators should be brought to book and made to face the full wrath by paying with heads through sentencing to death by hanging.

    If the above recommendations are strictly applied, the incidence of torture in Nigeria will be highly checked.

  • Federal High Court abolishes fees in filing of human rights cases

    Federal High Court abolishes fees in filing of human rights cases

    The Federal High Court has abolished the charging of all forms of fees concerning human rights cases across the country.

    Applicants in fundamental rights enforcement cases before now were charged filing fees, among others, as applicable in civil cases.

    However, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho in a statement issued by the Assistant Chief Registrar (Litigation), Jane Egbo, revealed that such fees have been scrapped.

    “I have been directed by the Hon. Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice J. T. Tsoho to inform all DCRs (Deputy. Chief Registrars) and Station Registrars that henceforth, monetary claims and default fees in respect of fundamental human right applications should no longer be charged.

    “This new development takes effect immediately. Please be informed and comply accordingly,” the statement said.

  • Nigerians charge army Chief on Professionalism; Respect for Human Rights of Citizens:

    Nigerians charge army Chief on Professionalism; Respect for Human Rights of Citizens:

    A cross  section of Nigerians drawn from higher Institutions of the South East of Nigeria, civil society stakeholders and media scholars have tasked the hierarchy of the Nigeria Army to take immediate but transparent steps to mainstream the absolute respect of human rights of citizens by soldiers in all internal security operations. 

    These impressions and massages emerged at the one day town hall meeting organized  by the prominent Civil Rights Advocacy body:- HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) which held in Enugu at the weekend just as the civil populace have been urged to partner actively with the Nigerian Army to ensure the attainment of the highest standard of professionalism in Nigeria in no distant time.

    Speaking on the theme of “Engaging the media for responsible, accountable and professional Nigerian Army,” a lecturer at the Enugu State’s University  of Technology (ESUT) Dr. Chidiebere Ezinwa, who is also a constitutional lawyer, cautioned that should the pervasive cases of human rights breaches by soldiers against citizens be allowed to fester,  then the prestige and respectability of the armed forces will decline.

    “The role of the military is clearly spelt out in Section 271 and 218 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  Section 217 deals with establishment and composition of the armed forces of the Federation, while section 218 deals with command and operational use of the armed forces of Nigeria. Section 217 sub section (1) specifically states that, there shall be an armed forces for the Federation which shall consist of an Army, a Navy, and Air Force and such other branches of the armed forces of the Federation as may be established by an Act of the National Assembly.”

    “The above provision shows that the Nigerian Armed Forces is made up of the Army, Navy and Air Force. The Army is responsible for protecting the lives and property and territorial integrity of the nation mostly on land by fighting external aggressors and quelling internal insurrection. The Navy protects the country’s maritime environments and safeguard the seas and coastline. The Air Force was established in 1964 and forms the air power of the country.”

    “Sub section (2) states, the Federation shall, subject to an Act of the National Assembly made in that behalf equip and maintain the armed forces, as may be considered adequate and effective for the purpose of:

    a. Defending Nigeria from external aggression.

    b. Maintaining its territorial integrity and securing its borders from violation on land, sea or air.

    c. suppressing insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the President, but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an act of the National Assembly and

    d. Performing such other function as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.

     Section 217 sub section (2) (c) deals with acting in aid of civil authority to restore order when called upon to do so by the President but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.”

    The University Don argued that there are two components of aids to civil authorities which are -the support to civil police in an event that they are unable to cope with civil disturbances or any of such unrest, and when the military is called upon to do so and in times of national emergencies like disasters and the like. Surprisingly, the military is involved in virtually every crisis point in the country. Why is this so? What has happened to the Nigerian Police? Will the Army not suffer the same fate with their continued involvement of in almost every civil strife?

    He submitted further: “The role of the military is clearly spelt out in Section 271 and 218 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  Section 217 deals with establishment and composition of the armed forces of the Federation, while section 218 deals with command and operational use of the armed forces of Nigeria. Section 217 sub section (1) specifically states that, there shall be an armed forces for the Federation which shall consist of an Army, a Navy, and Air Force and such other branches of the armed forces of the Federation as may be established by an Act of the National Assembly.”

    “The above provision shows that the Nigerian Armed Forces is made up of the Army, Navy and Air Force. The Army is responsible for protecting the lives and property and territorial integrity of the nation mostly on land by fighting external aggressors and quelling internal insurrection. The Navy protects the country’s maritime environments and safeguard the seas and coastline. The Air Force was established in 1964 and forms the air power of the country.”

    “Sub section (2) states, the Federation shall, subject to an Act of the National Assembly made in that behalf equip and maintain the armed forces, as may be considered adequate and effective for the purpose of:

    a. Defending Nigeria from external aggression.

    b. Maintaining its territorial integrity and securing its borders from violation on land, sea or air.

    c. suppressing insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the President, but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an act of the National Assembly and

    d. Performing such other function as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.

     Section 217 sub section (2) (c) deals with acting in aid of civil authority to restore order when called upon to do so by the President but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.

    The University teacher expressed dismay that the policing duties are been taken over by the Arny due to institutional collapse of the Nigeria Police Force  just as he stated: “What has happened to the Nigerian Police? Will the Army not suffer the same fate with their continued involvement of in almost every civil strife?”

    It is against the backdrop of Section 217(2) (c) thatthe armed forces in Nigeria face a number of challenges especially in view of the numerousinternal security threats that brought the army face to face with the civil society almost on a regular basis.Although, this situation pre-dated the 1999 Constitution, the reasons for armed forces intervention in crises period remain the same.”

    “The interaction of the army with the civil society in the course of performing its constitutional function of quelling internal crisis when called upon has a number of negative consequences, which has notonly dragged the image of the army in the mud due to some unprofessional conduct; but also has eroded public confidence and trust in the army. 

    He said that the military participation in quelling internal public disorder has been described as a necessary evil given a number of allegations against the army. Soldiers have been accused of a number of unprofessional conduct ranging from intimidating and coercing civilians, corruption and extortion at checkpoints, psychological and emotional abuse, blatant and flagrant acts of sexual and gender based violence. For instance, the UN. High commissioner for Human Rights Michele Bachelet, strongly condemned what she described as excessive and disproportionate use of force by Nigerian armed forces against peaceful protesters in the capital Lagos.  

    Perpetrators of these crimes are not usually brought to book, which is also a major source of concern to the citizens and International human rights agencies. What takes place is the usual run of the mill investigation which leads to no arrests or any form of accountability. Bachelet observed that Nigerian security forces suspected of serious crimes and gross violations of human rights have gone unpunished over the years. It is expected that the questions about who ordered, who arranged, who knew about the killing of unarmed protesters in October,2020 in different parts of the country especially in Lekki in Lagos  would be answered with appropriate punishment given to culprits.” The university administrator said too:

    “The army have also been accused of raiding media houses, arresting, detaining their staff and confiscating their computers, laptops and accessing their smartphones without warrant in contravention of Cybercrime law 2015. The premise of Daily Trust Newspaper have been raided on different occasions by soldiers in the company of other security agencies to answer questions about some of their publications such as an article that allegedly divulged classified military information related to planned attacks against Boko Haram.”

    The above he said, apparently negates the doctrine of military subordination to civil authority which Former president Obasanjo strongly advocated as one of the ways of facing 21st century challenges by the military. He enjoined them to embrace in its totality, the fundamental doctrine of military subordination to civil authority. The doctrine entails the following: 

    (i) Acceptance of the constitution as the sole and supreme doctrine defining the role of the armed forces.

    (ii) Acceptance of the elected civilian Chief Executive as Commander-In-Chief of the armed forces, and the supremacy of elected officials of state over appointed officers at all levels.

    (iii) Acceptance of civilian headship of the ministry of Defence and other strategic establishments.

    (iv) Acceptance of civilian or legislative deliberation and decision-making over the military budget.

    (v) Acceptance that the decisions regarding the goals and conduct of military operations must serve the political and strategic goals established by the civil authority.

    (vi) Acceptance of civil (Supreme Court) authority to review any action or decision taken by military judicial system or court martial.”

    Also speaking at the event attended by young people numbering over one hundred in Enugu State Capital and members of the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA), a lecturer at the Mass Communications Department of the prestigious institute of management and technology (IMT) Enugu, Dr. Nwanze Emeka, the media was called upon to assist the Army to report cases of Human Rights violations committees by the operatives against civilians to enable the Army’s hierarchy tackle such.

    His words: “The Nigerian army’s essential functions are primarily to secure the regional parameters of Nigeria and help the common position when called upon to do so. Consequently, in carrying out these professional obligations, there has been charges of fundamental human right infringement against the Nigerian army by Local and International human rights campaigners, Civil Society Groups, and Non-Governmental Organizations like Amnesty International, Transparency International, and Human Rights Watch, among others. These charges are centered on the reported extrajudicial killings, illegal detentions, sexual abuses, and other unprofessional activities. The observed unprofessionalism within the Nigerian military has created a vacuum in the relationship between civilians and the military.”

    “The recent call for the re-evaluation of the military operations related to human rights violations was awakened following the Lekki shooting occasioned by the recent call for the end of the radicalized Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in which the Nigerian military was implicated in the death of some protesters. This particular event is just one among the numerous human rights abuses perpetrated by the operatives of the Nigerian army.”

    “For instance, recently, in my community, a certain gentleman man invited some officers of the Nigeria Army to a land dispute resulting in assault occasioning harm. Recall that such a matter is a civil matter that should be treated in a court and not use the military officers to intimidate his rival.”

    “The military has in the recent past been used to recover a debt. It is wrong to use the office of the Nigeria Army for selfish purposes. In my street at Uwani Enugu, a military operative was involved in debt recovery, which aggravated torture and property damage. Such a despicable act is condemnable, and such be readdressed. In this regard, the Nigerian media is called upon to use its professionalism, strengthening military professionalism.”

    “There are obvious reasons why the Nigerian media is always short of expressions to drive home serious points when it concerns military operations and how it affects human rights. An observation of the military response to media reports will suggest that the Nigerian military does not usually tolerate criticism from media establishments. The army is always quick to tag information against them as “fake and an attempt to tarnish the military image.” Most times, journalists are harassed, and their devices are seized or damaged. The point is that the media has failed in its professional obligation of bringing to society well-researched and verifiable information. Hence, giving the military the opportunity of countering media reports. So many times, the military rebuff of media reports favors the army and, as such, creates doubts in the minds of the civilians. Presently, Nigerians rely more on foreign media reports about the Nigerian army than the Nigerian media reports.”

    “The probable explanation for the observed bias and sometimes incorrect reports against the military operation could be attributed to the surge in electronic journalism. This trend accounts for the gap in empirical reporting and the decline in public trust. Similarly, Lazarsfield and Katz (2010) argued that for journalism to achieve its set objectives in the area of opinion leadership, agenda-setting, information dissemination persuasiveness, watchdog, nation-building, and the fourth estate of the realm, it must be displayed with every sense of professionalism. The information coming from journalism must be positive correct, and reliable information.”

    Accordingly, Place of the Nigerian Media in Enhancing Military Operations

    In view of the above-stated gaps in the Nigerian media-military operational reports. The following recommendations are made:

    1. For the media to achieve a robust exposure of the military operations in Nigeria, especially regarding professional fallouts, the Nigerian media is expected first to address the issue of bias reports. In this way, the Nigerian military will have no basis for the denial and counter reporting.
    2. The journalist/media reporters should increase their correlation with the Nigerian Army, studying them and giving them information that will enable them to perform their duty with every sense of professionalism.
    3. The media should be involved in periodic sensitization of the Nigeria Army because they are the image-maker of any organization.
    4. The Nigerian media should be reporting the Nigeria’ army success fairly and objectively, instead of highlighting only the setbacks in the course of operation.”

    The IMT Teacher and Mass Communications expert then said: “In summary, the above discussion clarifies that professionalism is essential in the military and media relationship. A sanitized Nigerian media will provide the civilians with an unbiased report relating to the military operations. An established unbiased report will enable the military to accept its position in a particular unprofessional act and resort to ethical standard when a similar situation is presented. Adherence to professionalism creates a favorable opportunity for a professional relationship. Therefore, professionalized media reporting will create a professionalized military operation.”

    National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko said the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) will strive  to always speak on behalf of the common people of Nigeria just as he charged the media to work for the people and resists from working as appendages of holders of public offices such as governors and legislators because according to him, there is a gross lack of accountability and transparency in the governance of Nigeria and the media mostly maintains undignified silence when such violations of the Constitution by political office holders take place due to personal and financial aggrandizement.  

  • Children have been traumatised by Philippines abusive drugs war, Human Rights Watch says

    Children have been traumatised by Philippines abusive drugs war, Human Rights Watch says

    Thousands of children in the Philippines have suffered psychological distress, bullying and worsening poverty as a result of President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs, Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday.

    No fewer than 101 children have also been killed either as bystanders or as main targets of the violent crackdown between July 2016 and December 2018, the New York-based group said in a 48-page report.

    Human Rights Watch urged members of the UN Human Rights Council to support an independent international investigation into the drug war killings and the impact of the violence on children, and press the Philippine government to end its illegal drug operations.

    “Without action now, an entire generation of Filipino children will be victimized by the violence of Duterte’s anti-drug campaign,’’ Carlos Conde, Philippines researcher at Human Rights Watch, said.

    According to Philippine police statistics, over 5,600 suspects have been killed in anti-drug operations since July 1, 2016.

    “Estimates by human rights group place the death toll at more than 27,000.

    “In many of the raids, children witnessed the killing of a parent, or were present while their parent was dragged away and shot,’’ Human Rights Watch said.

    According to the report, due to this, the children suffer psychological distress, some developing aggressive and violent behaviour, while others becoming withdrawn.

    “Many have been forced to drop out of school due to bullying and harassment or poverty.

    “Many children are left with no choice but to work and some end up homeless and living in the streets, further exposing themselves to danger, violence and criminal activity,’’ the report said.