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October 1st: NHRC says citizens have right to peaceful protest

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The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has reminded the federal government and relevant agencies that citizens have the right to protest peacefully without molestation, as provides in the constitution.

The Commission’s Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, stated this while addressing the media on the planned October 1st protest by some citizens over the state of governance and condition of living in Nigeria.

He stated that the right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental human right recognized internationally, regionally, and at national level and said the provisions must be allowed to guide the activities of government and its agencies.

Ojukwu said – “In Nigeria, this right is enshrined in Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended and further strengthened by international and regional human rights instruments. Section 40 provides that: “Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular, he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests.”

According to Ojukwu, the right to peaceful assembly is the cornerstone stone of “our liberty and an essential instrument for promoting the values of democracy and good governance,” adding that protests are legitimate means of voicing dissatisfactions and participating in shaping citizen-centred governance and development outcomes.

He further said that the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Human Rights Council “have given us a set of principles which should guide the promotion and protection of the right to peaceful assembly, emphasizing that all individuals should be able to exercise their rights to peaceful assembly without discrimination based on race, gender, political affiliation, or any other status.
He nonetheless noted that while freedom of association and assembly is fundamental, “it can be subject to restrictions” even as he quickly added that such restrictions must be lawful, necessary in a democratic society, and proportionate to the aim pursued.

“This means that any limitations imposed by Nigerian authorities must not infringe upon the essence of these rights.,” he said.

The Chief Human Rights Officer in Nigeria said further that the state has an obligation to protect individuals exercising their rights from violence or intimidation by third parties.

“This includes ensuring that protests can occur without fear of repression, prosecution or violent backlash.
Notification Requirements: Requirements for pre-notification of law enforcement should not serve as barriers but rather facilitate peaceful protests. Notification requirement should not be burdensome and not hinder the exercise of this right.
“Any use of force by law enforcement during protests must adhere strictly to principles of necessity and proportionality. Excessive use of force against protesters, including shooting or the deployment of tear gas is a violation of human rights and dignity.,” he said

“The National Human Rights Commission also restated the obligations of both federal and state government and their institutions to the protection of the right to peaceful assembly as follows:
“The State has obligations to facilitate peaceful assemblies. This includes ensuring safety, providing necessary infrastructure, and taking measures to prevent disruptions from counter-demonstrators or hostile forces.
Government should provide adequate protection for protesters against violence or intimidation as well as facilitate peaceful assemblies through appropriate measures.
“Government must put in place effective accountability mechanisms for holding the law enforcement and security agencies accountable for any abuses committed during protests. This includes investigating incidents where excessive force was used or where protesters were unlawfully detained.

“Government must deploy its apparatus for the protection of private and public properties as well as the lives of protesters and non-protesters before, during and after the protests.”

The NHRC boss noted with great concern, the clampdown of protesters and the subsequent criminal prosecutions following the August 2024 End Bad Governance Protests across parts of Nigeria.

He noted that even though the August protests led to loss of lives and public and private properties, “it is yet to be seen that there have been arrests and prosecution of law enforcement and security agents who were primarily responsible for these violations.”

He said that the NHRC is concerned about the charges of treason that have been imposed on some of the protesters and have made this known in various forums.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and the trials. We call on the federal and state governments to ensure that the October protests are peaceful and that the protesters are given the necessary support and leverage to conduct themselves in civilized manner, including protecting them from counter-protesters and mobs.

On the part of the protesters, Ojukwu urged them to exercise their right to peaceful protest within the ambit of the law, be very civil and respect the rights of others; avoid violence, destruction of property, and harmful behaviour as these are detrimental to nation building while any destruction caused, may take fortunes to regain, which would be a great set back to the country’s development.

He urged them to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety by conducting themselves with highest sense of modesty and civility, refrain from hate speech and divisive rhetoric, abusive words and foul language as well as respect the rights of others, including those who may hold differing opinions.
He also charged them to ensure that their actions do not infringe on the rights of non-protesters, as everybody must not be on the street protesting.

The executive secretary assured that NHRC will monitor the protests to ensure compliance with human rights standards just like it did during the last protest, investigate allegations of human rights violations, provide guidance on human rights principles and document and report on human rights concerns as well as make recommendations to appropriate authorities.

“I wish to recall that the NHRC had issued an advisory for the protection of the right to the Freedom of Association and Assembly on the 31st of july 2024. I urge all persons participating in protests in Nigeria especially at this time to adhere to the advisory for a peaceful and effective protests in Nigeria.

“The NHRC will be monitoring the protests across Nigeria and will ensure that state and non-state actors violating the right to protests and other associated human rights will be held accountable”, he concludes.

 

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Gov Alex Otti visits Nnamdi Kanu in Sokoto prison

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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.

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Terrorists abduct bride, bridesmaids in Sokoto attack

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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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Dangote Refinery to supply 1.5bn litres of petrol monthly

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….Writes NMDPRA, Engages Marketers to Stabilise Fuel Market

Photo caption: L R: Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Vishwajit Sinha; Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird; President and Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during the visit of SSDC members to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos on Sunday, November 30, 2025.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced plans to supply one billion five hundred million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) monthly to the Nigerian market in December 2025 and January 2026, a move aimed at ensuring uninterrupted nationwide fuel availability through the festive season and into the New Year.

President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, disclosed the plans at the weekend, noting that the refinery will make available 50 million litres of PMS daily beginning December 1.

“In line with our commitment to national wellbeing, and consistent with our track record of ensuring a holiday season free of fuel scarcity, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery will supply 1.5 billion litres of PMS to the Nigerian market this month. This represents 50 million litres per day. We are formally notifying the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of this commitment. We will supply another 1.5 billion litres in January and increase to 1.7 billion litres in February, which translates to about 60 million litres per day,” Dangote said.

Photo caption: L R: President and Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during the visit of SSDC members to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos on Sunday, November 30, 2025.

Speaking during a visit by the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) to the refinery and the Dangote Fertiliser complex, he stated that the facility currently has adequate stock and is producing between 40 and 45 million litres of PMS daily. He added that the daily supply of 50 million litres should dispel long-standing claims that domestic refineries lack the capacity to meet national demand.

Dangote also revealed ongoing engagement with petroleum marketers to strengthen distribution systems, including expanding the use of CNG-powered haulage.

“Our priority is to ensure Nigeria receives the products it needs. This is not driven by profit motives; it is about guaranteeing the availability of essential energy products. It is similar to the transformation we delivered in the cement sector,” he added.

He further noted that the refinery is progressing with its expansion plan to reach a capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day. More than 100,000 workers are expected to be involved in the expansion of both the refinery and the fertiliser complex. Dangote emphasised that the Group remains committed to its vision, driven by the strong public support for the company’s role in shaping Nigeria’s economic development.

During the visit, the Managing Director of SSDC, Usoro Offiong Akpabio, commended Dangote’s leadership and his continued contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial capability, national energy security and long-term economic competitiveness.

She described the South-South region as Nigeria’s natural energy corridor, with vast crude oil reserves, gas infrastructure, maritime assets, agro-industrial activity and emerging industrial clusters. She noted that deeper collaboration between the region and the Dangote Group could unlock opportunities in product distribution, CNG infrastructure, petrochemicals, agriculture, and employment creation.

Akpabio added that such partnerships would advance the Federal Government’s energy stability agenda and position the South-South as a strategic growth hub for the Dangote Group.

“As the statutory development body for the South-South, SSDC is mandated to drive regional economic development, infrastructure integration, human capital advancement, and private-sector–led growth. In this regard, we stand prepared to support State-level policy and regulatory support for Ease-of-doing-business across our six states. Enabling environments for Dangote Group’s expansion into strategic sectors such as gas processing, agro-industrial value chains, renewable energy, logistics, and export-oriented manufacturing,” she said.

In a letter from the refinery’s Managing Director, David Bird, to the Authority Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, the company reaffirmed its readiness to host NMDPRA officials onsite at the refinery from December 1st to verify and publish its daily supply volumes. The refinery also sought the Authority’s support to ensure unhindered importation of crude, feedstocks and blending components, as well as smooth vessel loading for product evacuation.

“In the spirit of full transparency to the public we are willing to publish our daily production and stock volumes (online and print media),” Bird stated. “We seek the full support of NMDPRA to allow Dangote refinery to import our crude, feedstocks and blending components unhindered as well as support the lifting of our products by vessel. We continue to experience delays in vessel clearance which impacts not only the refinery operations but also our customers, adding unnecessary costs and inefficiencies”.

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