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Category: City Beats

  • NHRC says it received over 3.7m human rights violation complaints in 2025

    NHRC says it received over 3.7m human rights violation complaints in 2025

    …asks Edo govt to bring Obaseki’s attackers to book

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it received more than 3.7 million human rights complaints and reports across Nigeria in 2025.

    The commission said the number revealed persistent structural and security-related challenges facing the country.

    NHRC’s Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu (SAN), said this in Abuja on Tuesday during the presentation of the December 2025 human rights situation dashboard and Nigeria’s human rights outlook for 2026.

    Ojukwu said the 3,724,822 complaints recorded nationwide reflect both growing public awareness of the Commission’s mandate and enduring human rights violations linked to insecurity, poverty, and governance deficits.

    “The figure is significant, not only in its size, but in what it represents. It shows increased confidence in reporting violations, while also underscoring the persistence of structural human rights challenges in Nigeria”, he said.

    Ojukwu said the complaints covered a broad spectrum of rights, including livelihoods, housing, education, healthcare, civil and political rights, gender-based violence, child rights violations, and abuses against vulnerable and key populations.

    He said findings from the commission’s 2025 general observatory dashboard revealed that violations are closely linked to inequality, unemployment, weak institutions, limited access to justice, and poor service delivery, with significant variations across states and regions.

    Ojukwu said in 2026 his agency plans to strengthen early warning systems, deepen engagement with security and law-enforcement agencies to ensure human rights compliance, expand access to justice for women and children, integrate technology into reporting and monitoring, and enhance partnerships across sectors.

    Read Also: NHRC: why Boko Haram, ISWAP kill Christians, Muslims

    Ojukwu assured the NHRC’s commitment to building a Nigeria where justice is accessible, accountability is the norm, and human rights are respected and protected.

    Presenting the December 2025 human rights situation dashboard, the Senior Special Adviser to the NHRC, Hillary Ogbonna, said a total of 342,604 complaints of human rights violations were received in December 2025 alone.

    Giving a breakdown of the complaints, Ogbonna said 65,664 complaints were received from the North-West, 64,350 from the North-East, North-Central recorded 143,402 complaints, South-West, 13,009, and 13,173 human rights violations complaints were received from the South-South region of the country.

    He said in December 2025, NHRC recorded 390 kidnappings, 246 killings, 670 cases of child abandonment, and nine killings of security personnel.

    Ogbonna urged the Edo State Government to take necessary steps to bring to book the culprits in the recent assault on a filmmaker, Don Pedro Obadaki, noting that it is a prohibited act under international law.

    He said the NHRC currently has three million ongoing investigations on human rights violation cases, which is why the agency should be well-funded.

  • Lagos fire service rescues 84-year-old man from well in Lagos

    Lagos fire service rescues 84-year-old man from well in Lagos

    The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service on Tuesday rescued an 84-year-old man who fell into a deep well at Aboru, in the Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the state.

    The agency said it received a distress call at about 10:09 a.m. reporting a rescue incident at No. 35A, Fadeyemi Street, Pipeline, Aboru.

    Rescue officers, working alongside personnel from the Abesan Fire Station, were immediately dispatched to the scene and arrived at approximately 10:20 a.m.

    According to the controller general, Margaret Adeseye, the victim was recovered from a well estimated to be about 140 feet deep.

    Read Also: Lagos Fire Service rescues 63-year-old plumber trapped in 120-meter-deep well

    “Preliminary observations suggest a suspected case of attempted suicide, as the well was adequately protected and securely covered,” she said.

    She noted that the victim was successfully recovered by the rescue team and subsequently handed over to the family members for further necessary attention. The exact cause of the incident is subject to further investigation.

    The service also urged residents to seek help and report emergencies through the appropriate channels when in distress.

  • Police arrest suspect over bomb threat to Lagos schools, nab ‘one chance’ robbery gang

    Police arrest suspect over bomb threat to Lagos schools, nab ‘one chance’ robbery gang

    The Lagos State Police Command has arrested one Kosisochukwu Ogumbo of the Okota area for allegedly sending bomb threat messages to two schools in the Ikeja Government Reserved Area (GRA) last week.

    The Command also confirmed the arrest of eight additional members of a notorious “one chance” robbery syndicate, alongside the recovery of four operational vehicles allegedly used by the gang to rob unsuspecting residents across Lagos.

    Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, disclosed this during a briefing with journalists at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja.

    According to him, at about 4:00 p.m. on January 20, 2026, the Human Resources Manager and Chief Security Officer of the affected schools separately reported to the Ikeja Divisional Police Headquarters that they had received threatening WhatsApp messages from the same unidentified phone number.

    The messages claimed that explosive devices had been planted within the school premises.

    Following the reports, security operatives were immediately deployed to the area, including personnel from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, the Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), and other tactical squads, to secure the schools and assess the threat.

    He said, “After a thorough sweep of the premises, no explosive device was found and the schools were immediately declared safe. Police investigations led to the arrest of Kosiso Chukwuem-Nenyem, a resident of Okota, identified as the sender of the threat messages.”

    The Police boss added that although the suspect claimed he lost his phone in November 2025, police investigations revealed he continued to receive calls from family members during the period the threats were issued. The SIM card was also recovered from him.

    “This individual acted alone and deliberately attempted to cause panic among parents and school authorities. He will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” the CP stated.

    In other developments, the CP said the latest arrests of eight more members of ‘one chance’ bring the total number of suspects apprehended in connection with the syndicate to 21, adding that the gang had been fully dismantled, and that the breakthrough was a result of sustained intelligence-led policing and cooperation from members of the public.

    He described the gang as a “double-edged” criminal network, explaining that victims who complied were robbed and released, while those who resisted were detained and their families contacted for ransom under the guise of kidnapping.

    “They are a double-edged sword criminal gang. If you cooperate with them, they take what you have and let you go. If you resist, they detain you and contact your family to demand ransom,” he said.

    The commissioner added that the suspects also took victims to a shrine in the Idimu area of the state, where they were forced to swear oaths, while some were deceived with promises of dollar investment schemes.

    “All the suspects have confessed to the crime. Some victims have also come forward to identify them. Investigation is ongoing, and they will be prosecuted accordingly,” he added

    Among the 25 recovered vehicles linked to different offenses, including robbery, fraud, and theft, was a Toyota Camry 2007 model with registration number ABJ 582 LB, reportedly stolen in the early hours of January 25, 2026, after the owner left the engine running while entering a supermarket.

    The suspect, Jaffon Godswill, was subsequently arrested, and the vehicle was recovered the following day during a stop-and-search operation in the area.

    Read Also: Police inaugurate RRT to enhance operations in Jigawa

    He added that operatives of the command intercepted three suspected vandals who removed 154 electronic reflective markers from the Third Mainland Bridge during patrol operations.

    In addition, the police boss announced the strengthening of the School Protection Squad, established by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to cover Lagos East, West, and Central districts.

    Headquarters are located at Ikorodu (East), Idimu (West), and Lion Building, Lagos Island (Central).

    The CP also disclosed the deployment of Eko-Strike Force, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), and a newly established Nightlife Patrol Squad to secure entertainment hubs, hotels, and recreational centres across Lagos.

    “The entire Lagos State is safe. Residents, investors, and visitors are encouraged to go about their lawful activities without fear”, he said.

    He commended officers and men of the Command for their dedication and reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives, property, and investments in Lagos State.

  • Lawyer: closure of Onitsha market is punishment of traders

    Lawyer: closure of Onitsha market is punishment of traders

    Human rights lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has condemned the shutdown of the Onitsha Main Market by Governor Charles Soludo, describing it as a form of collective punishment against innocent traders and law-abiding citizens.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ejiofor insisted that the continued enforcement of the so-called Monday sit-at-home has no legal, moral, or ideological basis, stressing that the directive was long cancelled by IPOB.

    He noted that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had “formally, expressly, and unequivocally” withdrawn the directive.

    The lawyer argued that shutting down an entire economic nerve centre in response to criminal threats amounts to punishing productivity while emboldening those responsible for violence.

    He said, “Security governance, if it is to deserve the name, must be precise, intelligence-driven, and squarely targeted at the actual architects and executors of violence.

    “To shutter an entire market is neither strategic nor just.”

    According to Ejiofor, any violence or coercion currently associated with sit-at-home orders cannot be attributed to IPOB or any legitimate protest movement.

    Rather, he argued, such acts represent a “criminal resurrection of a dead directive,” allegedly hijacked and violently enforced by lawless elements.

    The lawyer stated, “What followed was not civil disobedience, not political protest, and certainly not ideological resistance.

    “It is a parasitic enterprise, feeding off intimidation, coercion, and the deliberate manufacture of terror among innocent citizens.”

    Ejiofor said the decision to close the Onitsha Main Market, one of the largest commercial hubs in the Southeast, was deeply troubling and counterproductive.

    He said, “It is against this backdrop that the decision to shut down the Onitsha Main Market must be interrogated with sobriety, proportionality, and an unflinching fidelity to the rule of law.

    Read Also: Expectant woman dies, seven injured during Onitsha market clash

    “Collective punishment of traders and law-abiding citizens, who are themselves hostages of fear, cannot, and must not, masquerade as security policy.”

    Ejiofor warned that policies which blur the line between criminality and legitimate commerce risk producing the opposite of their intended effect, strengthening the hand of violent actors while penalising innocent enterprise.

    He reiterated that the Monday sit-at-home no longer exists in any legitimate sense and should not be used as justification for actions that deepen economic hardship and public fear.

    “The Monday sit-at-home enjoys no legitimacy, commands no authority, and possesses no justification whatsoever – legal, moral, or otherwise,” Ejiofor said.

  • Ohanaeze youth council urges market leaders to shun Mondays sit-at-home

    Ohanaeze youth council urges market leaders to shun Mondays sit-at-home

    …applauds Soludo, cautions enforcers

    The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has called on market leaders in Onitsha, Nnewi, and Awka to cooperate with Governor Charles Soludo to ensure that markets remain open on Mondays.

    Reacting to the closure of Onitsha Main Market on Monday, OYC National President Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka urged all market leaders to comply with the state government’s directive.

    He specifically called on those in the Onitsha Main Market to stop locking entrances on Mondays.

    “Those criminal elements enforcing sit-at-home orders are enemies of Ndigbo, sponsored to shut down the only means of survival for Ndigbo in Nigeria, which is commerce and trading,” Comrade Igboayaka said.

    He highlighted the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of Ndigbo, noting that despite the challenges of the 1967-1970 civil war, the community rebuilt through apprenticeship systems that gave rise to Onitsha Main Market and markets across the country.

    Read Also: Ohanaeze Ndigbo declares every last Saturday of January as Igbo adoration, thanksgiving Day

    “Anyone claiming market leadership in Anambra who enforces market lockdowns in Onitsha is, in reality, an adversary to the economic survival of Ndigbo,” he added, while praising the community for its self-reliance and determination.

    The youth leader also commended Governor Soludo’s initiative to permanently end the Monday sit-at-home, particularly in Onitsha, the commercial hub of the state.

    “This is an ideal that every progressive Igbo person and lover of Igbo political and economic liberation should support and applaud.

    “I earnestly call on the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Department of State (DOS) to swiftly collaborate with Governor Soludo’s administration to put an end to the Monday sit-at-home,” he said.

  • Abia traditional rulers launch statewide drive to boost NIN, PVC registrations

    Abia traditional rulers launch statewide drive to boost NIN, PVC registrations

    The chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Sir Linus Nto Mba, on Tuesday announced a statewide mobilisation initiative aimed at significantly increasing the number of residents registered for National Identification Numbers (NIN) and Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).

    Eze Sir Linus made the announcement while presiding over a meeting of the Council, which included principal officers and chairmen of traditional rulers from the 17 Local Government Areas, held at his office in the JAAC Building, Umuahia.

    The decision came amid concerns over Abia state’s relatively low registration figures despite its large population.

    The chairman emphasized that traditional rulers, as custodians and fathers of the people, have resolved to take responsibility for mobilising eligible citizens, particularly those aged 18 and above who have yet to register.

    “Our resolve is to ensure that Abia State records one of the highest numbers of registered citizens. This exercise is not for any individual or political interest, but purely in the interest of the state and its development,” he stated.

    Read Also: Otti approves N250,000 monthly stipends for Abia traditional rulers

    Eze Sir Linus explained that the mobilisation drive will adopt a grassroots approach, extending from the state level to zones, local governments, and autonomous communities to ensure no eligible citizen is left out.

    The Council also plans to assess the availability of registration facilities, including equipment, personnel, and logistics, by visiting relevant offices where registrations are conducted.

    The Chairman underscored that the initiative is non-political, noting the pivotal role of traditional rulers across Nigeria in grassroots mobilisation for national development.

    “As true fathers of our communities and the state, we will not allow Abia to lag in this critical national exercise,” he added.

    The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment by the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers to support government efforts aimed at strengthening civic participation and ensuring accurate population data for the overall progress of the state.

  • Oyo Assembly rejects Shittu’s apology, refers lawmaker for further disciplinary action

    Oyo Assembly rejects Shittu’s apology, refers lawmaker for further disciplinary action

    The Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday adopted the report of its Committee on Ethics and Privileges, which indicted Hon. Ibrahim Aremu Shittu, representing Saki West State Constituency, over a viral video in which he made allegations deemed defamatory and damaging to the Legislature’s integrity.

    Despite accepting the Committee’s findings and recommendations, the House rejected Shittu’s apology and referred the matter back to the Ethics and Privileges Committee for further disciplinary action.

    The investigation followed a resolution of the House on January 20, 2026, after Shittu was alleged to have publicly accused the Majority Leader, Hon. Sanjo Onaolapo (Ogbomoso South), of receiving bribes from the Chairman of Saki West Local Government, while also disparaging the Speaker and the House proceedings.

    Presenting the report, Committee Chairman Hon. Gbenga Oyekola said both lawmakers appeared before the Committee on January 22, 2026, and that legislative instruments, oath of office documents, and the viral footage were thoroughly reviewed to ensure due process and principles of natural justice were observed.

    Read Also: Oyo Assembly Majority leader accuses colleague of defamation, demands probe

    The Committee concluded that Shittu’s statements were reckless, unfounded, and capable of undermining public confidence in the Legislature.

    The allegations lacked credible proof, infringed on the rights of the Majority Leader, and brought the House into disrepute.

    During proceedings, Shittu admitted making the unfounded claims, while Hon. Luqman Jimoh (Oorelope) tendered an apology on behalf of Shittu’s APC caucus and requested leniency. Hon. Sola Owolabi (PDP) also appealed for mercy.

    However, other lawmakers described the apology as insincere and lacking genuine remorse. A Motion to reject it was moved, seconded, and upheld by the Speaker, who ruled the apology inadequate.

    The matter was then referred back to the Ethics and Privileges Committee for further disciplinary recommendations.

    In its report, the Committee cautioned members against making unverified public allegations that could damage the Legislature’s reputation, warning that future infractions would attract stringent sanctions.

  • Lagos taskforce arrests woman, six others over illegal sale of immunity stickers

    Lagos taskforce arrests woman, six others over illegal sale of immunity stickers

    The Lagos State Taskforce has arrested a woman and uncovered a syndicate allegedly involved in the illegal sale of so-called “immunity stickers” to motorists, used to evade arrest and sanctions for traffic violations across the state.

    The suspect, identified as Alimat Yusuf Idowu, also known as Asabi Alagbo, was apprehended alongside one Ola, Sanjay, Aliu, and other accomplices who are currently at large.

    The arrests were carried out across several strategic locations, including Oshodi, Isolo, Mushin, Apapa, Mile 2, Apapa Expressway, Iyana-Ipaja, Abule-Egba, Ile-Epo, and other parts of the State to track down their agents and distribution channels.

    According to the Taskforce spokesperson, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects specialised in producing and distributing various branded stickers falsely presented as legitimate authorisations that shielded commercial and unpainted vehicles, popularly known as “kabukabu,” from enforcement by law-enforcement agencies.

    Further findings showed that the stickers carried names and logos of transport union–related brands, unauthorised local government stickers, unregistered transport association emblems, as well as fake enforcement and compliance stickers produced by private individuals and tout syndicates.

    These stickers, the Taskforce said, had no legal backing and were deliberately used to mislead drivers into believing they conferred immunity from arrest.

    Investigators also established that operators of the illegal scheme collected unlawful weekly or monthly fees ranging from ₦15,000 to ₦20,000 per vehicle, promising continuous protection from arrest for traffic violations.

    Read Also: Lagos Taskforce raids BRT corridors, impounds 28 vehicles, 14 okada

    Speaking on the development, the Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said the arrests demonstrated the agency’s determination to dismantle all forms of criminal activity brought to its attention by members of the public.

    “This illegal sticker system with inscriptions such as Fire (Ina), Olamoney, Sanjay Omo Oga, Dman, 100% 23–24, Psalm 72, among others, has operated for far too long. We are determined to arrest and prosecute anyone who extorts commercial vehicle operators or claims to shield them from enforcement for violating traffic regulations,” Akerele said.

    He warned that any commercial vehicle found displaying such illegal or unauthorised stickers would be arrested and required to explain their source and purpose.

    “No individual, group, or association has the authority to issue stickers that confer immunity from traffic laws. Any vehicle found with these illegal stickers will be arrested and investigated,” he added.

    Akerele noted that the enforcement exercise forms part of a broader strategy to restore order on Lagos roads and protect transport operators from intimidation, extortion, and exploitation by touts.

    “It is part of our statutory responsibility to arrest and prosecute individuals involved in the illegal issuance of fines, tickets, or unlawful levies within the metropolis. Everyone involved in this illicit practice will be brought to book,” he said.

    The Taskforce urged vehicle owners and drivers to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, assuring the public that investigations are ongoing and that more arrests will be made.

    The arrested suspect has been charged to court and pleaded not guilty. She was granted bail but remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of her bail conditions. The case has been adjourned until March 24, 2026.

  • Firms hold 5-day training program on oil and gas

    Firms hold 5-day training program on oil and gas

    Premiere Control and AV Design Limited, in collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), successfully concluded a 5-day training program on Oil and Gas Project Risk and Value Engineering. 

    The training, which took place from January 19, 2026, to January 23, 2026, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, brought together 35 participants from various backgrounds.

    The program aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with oil and gas projects. By applying value engineering principles, participants learned how to optimize project value, reduce costs, and improve efficiency.

    The Managing Director of Premiere Control and AV Design Limited, Success Chigbu, expressed his gratitude to the NCDMB for the opportunity to partner on this training initiative. 

    Read Also: 20 illegal refineries destroyed, 32 oil thieves arrested in two weeks, says DHQ

    He commended the board for its commitment to developing the skills and competencies of Nigerian professionals in the oil and gas industry.

    “I’m delighted to have been part of this training program, and I’m grateful to the NCDMB for the opportunity,” Success Chigbu said. “We believe that this training will go a long way in enhancing the skills and knowledge of our participants, and we’re committed to supporting the development of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.”

    The successful completion of this training program demonstrates the commitment of Premiere Control and AV Design Limited and NCDMB to human capital development in the oil and gas sector. 

    This initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the industry by enhancing the skills and competencies of Nigerian professionals.

  • Lagos to clamp down on drainage encroachment in Lekki

    Lagos to clamp down on drainage encroachment in Lekki

    The Lagos State government has announced plans to intensify enforcement against drainage encroachment and other environmental infractions in Lekki axis, as part of efforts to mitigate flooding and protect critical water infrastructure.

    Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said this while inspecting ongoing drainage projects and flood-prone areas in Ogombo, Lake Embankment, Ikate, Mobil, Mobil Road, Kusenla and other adjoining communities.

    Wahab said the inspection followed intelligence reports on attempts to tamper with major drainage alignments, particularly System 46, warning that any interference could have far-reaching consequences for the Ikota River corridor.

    “We received whistleblower information that there was encroachment on System 46. We have decided to install signposts to clearly demarcate the alignment and ensure that no one goes back to reduce or tamper with it, because it will eventually affect the Ikota River,” he said.

    At System 44, the commissioner recalled that contraventions had earlier been removed from the drainage alignment two years ago, noting that contractors were still on site. He explained that persistent flooding along Mobil Road was traced to temporary damming of upstream and downstream sections to enable construction works.

    “We have directed the contractor to hasten work, so the damned areas can be removed. About 800 metres remain on both the upstream and downstream sections leading to the Ikota River,” he said.

    The commissioner added the state government had expanded the scope of the project to include not only drainage construction but also the installation of a pump station to improve flood discharge capacity.

    “This is our third visit here. After our earlier inspections, we awarded the job, and due to developments in the area, including the regional road project, we approved additional electro-mechanical works and a pump station to effectively manage flooding,” he added.

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    Wahab expressed concern over the takeover of wetlands and illegal sand-filling observed along Mobil Road, as well as the emergence of shanties along the Coastal Road corridor.

    He said the government would erect signposts to protect wetland alignments and adopt a coordinated approach with the Federal Ministry of Works to address illegal occupation along the Coastal Road, which is a federal asset.

    According to him, uncontrolled settlements around conservation areas pose environmental and security risks, adding that open burning observed behind a conservation zone could also threaten wildlife habitats.

    On the timeline for completion of projects, Wahab said the drainage works were initially scheduled for 24 months, but the addition of new components could extend the project by about 12 months.

    Speaking on the state’s preparedness for the rainy season, the commissioner stressed the reality of climate change, citing persistent rainfall in recent months.

    “The rain has not stopped. Anyone who says climate change or global warming is not real is simply denying reality. Our responsibility is to continue advocacy, provide resilient infrastructure and ensure residents take ownership of these facilities,” he said.

    He urged residents to refrain from activities that undermine public infrastructure, assuring that the state government would continue to enforce environmental laws to safeguard lives, property and sustainable development.