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Protest: “Avoid violence, abuse of citizens’ rights” NHRC charges govt agencies, citizens
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued an Advisory Opinion to the Federal Government, urging it to ensure that the August 1, 2024 planned nationwide protests enjoy a peaceful atmosphere devoid of any form of human rights violations.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN who states this on Wednesday evening also charged the law enforcement agencies to comply with the relevant human rights principles and practices that guarantee the right to freedom of association and assembly.
The NHRC also urged citizens to avoid violent confrontation of security operatives and destruction of lives and properties
The Advisory Opinion was issued by the Commission pursuant to the legal and inherent powers of the National Human Rights Commission in section 5(l)(m)(o) of the National Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Act, 2010.
The Executive Secretary reminded the law enforcement agents and Citizens that Article 21 of the ICCPR and the ACHPR guarantee the right to peaceful Assembly without restrictions.
The learned Silk emphasized that Citizens do not require police permits to hold peaceful protests, notification to law enforcement about planned assemblies does not equate to seeking permission but serves as an avenue for ensuring safety and orderly conduct of protests and assemblies.
He urged the law enforcement agencies to respect Citizens’ rights while maintaining public order without infringing upon the constitutional freedoms.
Similarly, Ojukwu reminded the Citizens including protesters of their consequential obligations to ensure orderly conduct, respect for law and the security of other Citizens and public and private properties.
Buttressing the above position, the Executive Secretary cited other relevant national, regional and international laws protecting the rights of Citizens particularly as they relate to the right to freedom of association and assembly to drive home his point that protests do not amount to crime or criminality.
The NHRC Boss further urged citizens, the security operatives and other stakeholders to desist from any act that will bring violence in the planned protest but rather report any criminal behaviour to the Police in the Interest of peace and security of the Country.
He said the Commission will operate a 24 hour situation room to monitor the protest, advising the public to call its toll-free number 6472 to make any complaint of human rights violations associated with the protest.
Two Nigerian-born scientists—Adesola Adegoke, a researcher at Arizona State University (ASU), and Seunnla Adelusi, a PhD candidate at the Université de Sherbrooke, Canada—have been named among the 20 global winners of the Digital GreenTalents Award 2025.
These two Nigerians were announced among the winners during a virtual ceremony held on 25 November. In a statement following the virtual announcement ceremony, the organisers said the 20 awardees for this year joined from different time zones, including “very early morning in Canada and evening hours in the Philippines.”
The digital Green Talent Award is an annual initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) that recognises outstanding young researchers whose work advances sustainability through digital innovation.
Each year, 20 scientists are selected from a competitive global pool for their cutting-edge ideas at the intersection of digitalisation and environmental sustainability.
Alex Otti, the Abia State Governor, on Sunday paid a visit to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
The governor was accompanied by officials of the Sokoto State Government during the closed-door visit.
Nnamdi Kanu was recently moved to Sokoto after he was convicted on terrorism-related charges and handed a life sentence by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Governor Otti had earlier promised to pursue every lawful and political avenue to ensure that Kanu gets justice. Sunday’s visit is seen as part of ongoing efforts by the Abia State Government regarding his case.
Details of the meeting were not made public as of the time of this report.
Armed terrorists have abducted a bride-to-be, her bridesmaid, and eight other residents from Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State
The Sokoto abduction occurred around 1:30 a.m., according to residents, when the attackers stormed the village. Most of the victims were women, with only one man also taken.
One resident sustained injuries and is receiving medical treatment. Villagers told reporters that the bride was preparing for her wedding scheduled for later that morning when the raid struck, plunging the community into shock and mourning.
A community member described the attack as “tragic,” noting the delay in security response. “Security operatives were alerted immediately, but they only arrived about an hour after the bandits had fled,” he said, expressing frustration.
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