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“I don’t know anything about raid of communities, killing of civilians by military as alleged by Reuters,” Gen Eyitayo Abdulwahab tells NHRC panel
Major General Abdulwahab Eyitayo on Tuesday told the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in the Counter Insurgency Operations in North East that he knows nothing about alleged assault of communities leading to the death of children or other civilians during the period of insurgency in the North East.
The panel was set up by the National Human Rights Commission to investigate Human Rights abuses allegedly committed by the Nigerian military while fighting Insurgency in the North East as contained in a report published by Reuters.
General Eyitayo said the troop under his command in Borno state in 2015 acted professionally in the course of operations and noted that the area of their operations in places like Kukawa, Konduga and Baga, were far away from residential areas, and that allegations of attacks on civilian could not have arisen.
In his oral testimony while being led by the Secretary of the panel, Mr. Hilary Ogbonna, the military top Officer said deployment was designed to be at the “outskirt” where troop will have the opportunity to stop the insurgents from coming to attack the civilians.
He said- “There is no way the soldiers who are protecting these civilians will turn round to attack them for any reason.”
Eyitayo who is currently serving at the Defense Base, Lugbe, Abuja recalled how troop under his command escorted civilians to their farms to ensure their safety when the Boko Haram fighters were stopping them on the way on random, and demanding taxes from them.
In Reuters allegation of abortion assaults which claimed that 10,000 pregnancies were illegally and forcefully aborted by the Nigerian Army as part of its systematic approach towards fighting insurgency in the North East, he said that they never provided medical assistance to the civilians whom he noted do not have any business coming where the troop were.
The former GOC 7 Division also informed the 7- Member panel chaired by Justice Abdu Aboki (rtd) that under his command there used to be media briefings from time to time so that members of the public will be kept abreast of the operations of the military in the North East.
He added that the Army has a human rights desk in 7 Division and the press briefing provided a good platform to clarify issues arising from any complaints that are brought before the human rights desk.
Also defending himself before the panel, Colonel Yakubu Ibrahim who was 22 Brigade commander in Borno state said he only heard about Reuters report, saying that during his time in the state, the troop under his command did not make use of firepower because they hardly met the insurgents during clearance operations.
He told the panel that they did not engage in rescuing or managing civilians but only assisted the communities, especially those who did not have food because of the displacements occasioned by the insurgency.
He also confirmed before the panel that troop carried out medical outreaches with the assistance of Borno state and non-governmental organizations working in the state, pointing out that they never treated civilian, let alone pregnant women.
“Our area of responsibility is Machina, Nguru, Gasua and one other LGA (with other units) and I have four LGA in my area of responsibility. I did not make use of fire power because at that time “we did not encounter insurgents”.
“I was in New Marte as at 2020 and there was no human beings there except the fighters. In Dikwa there were people there, it is a local government. I had a battalion in Dikwa who made sure insurgents did not infiltrate that town. I visited Dikwa as operations demand,” he said.
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“My husband is dying,” El Rufai’s wife raises the alarm
Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El Rufai is currently facing challenges in detention, and constantly bleeding from both his nose and mouth, indicating serious health issues.
In a public statement to mark El Rufai’s “150th Day in incarceration,” one of his wives, Aisa, made the claims and appealed to the international community to intervene over what she described as her husband’s prolonged detention and alleged denial of due process.
She argued that the former governor’s continued incarceration amounted to “punishment before trial” and posed a threat to Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Aisha also called on foreign governments, multilateral organisations and international human rights groups to closely monitor the legal proceedings involving her husband.
However, many people have taken to the social media to ask Aisa where she was when her husband, as governor of Kaduna State, was persecuting thousands of citizens, especially Christians from Southern Kaduna.
So others have wondered where Aisa was when her husband, then governor of Kaduna State threatened foreign elections observers that they would be taken back to their countries if they try to interfere in Nigeria’s electoral process.
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NiMet concludes 10-Day climate risk management training for agric professionals
The 10-Day train-the-trainer workshop on Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension (CRMAE) organized by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has come to a successful end.
The training workshop was organized by NiMet, in collaboration with some partners, including International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Sasakawa Africa Association, and others.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Prof. Charles Anosike, Director General/CEO of NiMet, described agricultural extension officers as the critical link between climate services and farmers, noting that they translate weather and climate information into practical guidance on planting dates, crop selection, and water management.
He said the training reflects the collective commitment of NiMet and its partners to ensuring that climate information is accessible, understandable, and useful to farmers across Nigeria.
Professor Anosike noted that the Nigeria-adapted Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension curriculum will strengthen the capacity of extension personnel to deliver climate-informed advisory services. Citing evidence that effective, localized extension services can increase agricultural productivity by 20–30 percent while reducing vulnerability to climate shocks, he urged participants to cascade the knowledge gained through extension networks, farmer groups, cooperatives, and rural communities.
He stressed that the programme’s success would ultimately be measured by improved farmer livelihoods, stronger climate resilience, and enhanced national food security.
The NiMet boss also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to institutionalizing and promoting the widespread adoption of the Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension curriculum as part of the Agency’s efforts to strengthen climate services for agriculture and contribute to national food security.
In a closing remark on behalf of the AGRA Country Director, Dr. Esther Ibrahim described climate risk management as an essential component of modern agricultural extension. She encouraged participants to apply the knowledge acquired during the training to provide farmers with timely, reliable, and actionable climate information that supports informed decision-making and resilient agricultural production.
Others at the event include Mr. Pierre Sibiry, ILRI Representative; Dr. Jim Hansen, Resource Person; Dr. Godwin Atser, Country Director, Sasakawa Africa Association; and Dr. Victoria Pillah of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The workshop concluded with the presentation of certificates to participants, who are expected to cascade the training across extension networks and farming communities, helping to bridge the gap between climate science and farm-level decision-making while improving farmers’
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Ex-President Jonathan expresses sadness over death of Amaechi’s mother
Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, a former Nigerian president, has expressed sadness over the passing of Dame Ezinne Mary Amaechi, mother of former Governor of Rivers State and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice presidential candidate, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Jonathan expressed his feelings Saturday, in a condolence message signed by media aide, Ikechukwu Exe and sent to Nationwide Reports.
The former president his expressed his sympathies to Amaechi, the entire Amaechi family, and all those mourning the late matriarch.
He described the death of a mother as a profound loss, noting that although death is inevitable, the enduring legacy of a life dedicated to faith, family and service continues to inspire and comfort those left behind.
Dr. Jonathan observed that the late Mrs. Amaechi’s profile reflected a life of exemplary devotion to God, family and community. He noted that her reputation as “a woman of faith, compassion and quiet strength, as well as her commitment to promoting peace, unity and service, earned her the admiration and respect of all who knew her.”
He prayed that God Almighty would grant Rt. Hon. Amaechi and the entire family the strength, comfort and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, while urging them to “draw solace from the cherished memories of her exemplary life and the enduring values she imparted to her family and community.”
The former President also prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed matriarch.
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