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Commission trains security agents on human rights protection

Commission trains security agents on human rights protection

NAN-H-66

Rights

By Awal Muhammad Adam

Yola, May 15, 2017 (NAN) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on security agents to stop violating the rights of citizens during security operations

The Acting Executive Secretary of the commission, Mrs Oti Anukpe, made the appeal on Monday in Yola during a meeting of security personnel and United Nations High Commission on Refugees.

Anukpe said the forum was designed to review cases of of human rights violations during security operations in the North East region ravaged by Boko Haram insurgents.

She said that the meeting would impart modern knowledge in the security personnel on human rights principles and civilian protection.

“The meeting is to train security personnel on principles of human rights and civilian protection during counter insurgency operation,” Anukpe said.

On the humanitarian crisis in the region, the acting scribe said the training would also provide platform to educate security personnel with comprehensive picture of protection of civilians and issues relating to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

In his remarks, the Commander, 153 Base Services Group, Nigerian Air Force Base, Yola, Air Commodore Abdullahi Kassimu, said the training was aimed at enhancing professionalism in the military and reducing human right abuses.

According to him, officers and men would be better informed and have human face in their operations.

“For a long time, incidence of human right abuses have reduced as rules of engagement is strictly adhered to during operations,” Kassimu said.

Mr Tony Ojokwu, representative of UNHCR, had earlier said that it was an international obligation on Nigeria to respect, protect and fulfill human rights acts.

Ojokwu said that UNHCR, government and humanitarian stakeholders should address issues concerning human right violations and reduce vulnerabilities as well as train security personnel in handling counter insurgency.

Participants at workshop were drawn from the military, NSCDC and other security agencies in the country. (NAN)

AMA/MO/MST

Edited by Morayo Oomolade/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Insecurity: FG rewrites National Action Plan to protect women, children

Insecurity: Ministry rewrites National Action Plan to current reality

NAN-HG-5

Plan

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Abuja, May 9, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Government has reviewed the National Action Plan (NAP) to factor in emerging issues hindering the peace and security of women and girls in the country.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Sen. Aisha Alhassan, said this during the launch of NAP on Tuesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Nigeria having ratified the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on women, peace and security, introduced the plan 16 years ago to ensure the implementation of the resolution.

It was from the NAP that the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP 2015) was established to reduce the toll of conflict, terrorism and violent actions on women and girls.

Alhassan, said there were defects in the first plan, making it impossible to tackle emerging issues affecting women.

“Nigeria’s first NAP, which ran from 2013-2016, was useful in mobilising national action on the need to improve human security and better protect citizens especially women and girls.

“The first NAP had gaps and did not take care of emerging issues like insurgency and violent extremism, among others.

“There was therefore very urgent need to have the NAP revised, “she said.

According to the minister, the UNSCR 1325 was the first formal and legal global document to acknowledge the disproportionate and heavier toll that war and conflict have on women and girls.

She also stressed the pivotal role women play in conflict management, conflict resolution and sustainable peace.

Alhassan expressed displeasure that in spite of women’s proven national reconciliation and stabilising roles in the family, they have continued to be excluded from participating meaningfully to peace processes.

She said insecurity and transnational boarder crimes, gender, responsive inclusion in peace architecture, violence against women, girls, children and communal crises are the major peace concerns of women.

These, she said, have been captured in the second NAP.

The minister therefore called on all Nigerians to support government in mainstreaming gender into all policies, programmes and organisational cultures in Nigeria through the national gender policy.

In her welcome address, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Phyllis Nwokedi, said the launch was to provide the platform for public presentation of the revised NAP on UNSCR 1325. (NAN)

OEO/KOLE/MST

Edited by Remi Koleoso/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Emir lauds IG-P for curbing crime, criminality

Emir lauds IG-P for curbing crime, criminality

NAN-H-5

Commendation

By Mohammed Baba-Busu

Lafia, April 21, 2017 (NAN) The Emir of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Alhaji Isah Mustapha-Agwai 1, has commended the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun-Idris, for tackling crime and criminality in the country.

He said the appointment of Idris as IG-P has drastically reduced criminal activities in the country in recent times.

The emir, who is also the Chairman, state Council of Chiefs, said this when Shuaibu Lawal-Gambo, a DIG in charge of (Finance and Administration), paid him a visit as part of his sensitisation tour of North-Central.

The first class traditional ruler noted that there had been a great significant reduction of crimes across the nation, while appealing for its sustenance.

He said the enviable efforts of Kpotun-Idris as a dogged, pious, patriotic and committed crime buster, was being noticed.

“We commend his achievements in returning the country to its normalcy of a peaceful nation, through discipline and enforcement.

“I wish to commend the police under Idris-Kpotun’s watch for the dedication, commitment and complementary role to the presidency in the fight against electoral fraud, insurgency, kidnapping and terrorism,” he said.

He said the officers and men of the police should continue to remain resolute and firm in the discharge of their duties.

“I am aware that the maintenance of peace and orderliness is never an easy task in any society; it is my fervent prayers that Almighty Allah will give you the sound health, wisdom and knowledge for peace and crime free society,’’ the emir said.

Speaking earlier, the DIG underscored the role of traditional institutions in complementing the effort of security operatives in crime control.

He said the IG-P directed the DIG’s in the six geo-political zones to go and sensitise their people on the unity, harmonious and peaceful coexistence as well as educate the people on the importance of community policing.

He said the role of traditional institutions in sustaining peace and unity in the country would remain relevant in community policing.

According to him, traditional rulers in the country have in no small measure supported and cooperated with the police and other security agencies, which resulted in the high level success recorded in curbing criminal activities.

Lawal-Gambo however appealed to adherents of the two major religions in the country to assist security agents to overcome some security challenges bedeviling the nation. (NAN)

BAB/JIE/MST

Edited by Julius Enehikhuere/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

Army to hold 2nd quarter security workshop in Kaduna

Army to hold 2nd quarter security workshop in Kaduna

NAN-H-30

Workshop

By Mohammad Tijjani

Kaduna, April 14, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Army said on Friday that it would conduct the second quarter Office Management and Document Security Workshop at 1 Division Headquarters from April 19 to April 17, in Kaduna.

Col. Kingsley Umoh, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Officer, 1 Division Kaduna, announced this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.

Umoh said the workshop is aimed at sensitising clerks from various army formations on document and information security.

According to him, the workshop will be organised by Army Headquarter Department of Administration with the ‘A’ Team Unique Professionals Limited as facilitators.

“The objective is to refresh NA Clerks with the essential knowledge and skills of document handling and security;

“Acquaint the NA clerks with modern office management procedures including professional ethics and values expected of office staff and impact the clerks with requisite skills and knowledge for them to function effectively and efficiently in their various formations and units.”

He said the Chief of Administration, Army, representing the Chief of Army Staff, Principal Staff Officers from the Army Headquarters and representative of the General Officers Commanding 1 Division would grace the training.

The spokesperson said more than 60 clerks drawn from 48 formations, schools and units of the NA and personnel of sister services are expected at the workshop.

NAN recalls that the first quarter workshop was held in Headquarters 2 Division, Ibadan, from Feb. 15 to Feb. 17. (NAN)

TJ/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NYSC redeploys corps member assaulted by police in Zamfara

NYSC redeploys corps member assaulted by police in Zamfara

NAN-HG-19

Security

By Yashim Katurak

Abuja, March 8, 2017 (NAN) The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has redeployed a corps member, Mr Michael Uwakwe, serving in Zamfara to Anambra, following his assault by a police officer.

Mrs Victoria Okakwu, the NYSC Director, Corps Welfare and Inspectorate, made this known to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.

Okakwu explained that the corps member was redeployed to ensure his safety and security while carrying out his national assignment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the briefing was designed to keep the public abreast on the outcome of investigations conducted by the scheme on the slapping of a corps member serving in Zamfara as earlier reported by some media.

The reports had alleged that Uwakwe was brutalised and manhandled by the police for punishing a student who happened to be a rich man’s ward by simply asking him to go on his knees.

Okakwu said that after proper investigations and resolution of the matter the scheme has also ordered the immediate withdrawal of 11 other corps members who were serving along with Uwakwe at Nasara Standard Academy, Gusau.

She said that the 11 corps members have been re-posted to serve in other establishments in Gusau as a proactive measure to ensure their safety and security.

“On Wednesday last week we got information from Zamfara state that a corps member was beaten by the police, arrested, detained and later released.

“When we got this information I had to speak to the state coordinator to investigate the matter thoroughly. From our investigations, the corps member had a problem in the school he was posted to serve.

“He came into the class and said he was going to give the students a test asking them to put their books away and get ready but that this student was not just cooperative.

“In the process of doing the test she hissed and he asked why she will hiss in the class because it was a rude behaviour but she had nothing to say after a while she hissed again and he went to her to ask why again.

“The next thing he saw written on her script was `Nonsense Tes’. That got him infuriated and he asked the student if the questions he set were out of what he had taught them.

“The girl will not answer so he instructed her to kneel down. In the process he asked her to crawl with her knees and after that he left; later he came to look for the girl and she was no where to be found.

“The girl went home, spoke to her father and he went to the police. The corps member was in the staff room when he was called that he was needed in the principal’s office.

“When he got there he was asked to go with the police but he declined stating that he was just doing his job but he later agreed to go to the police station if the principal will go with him.

“He went with the principal to the police station and in the station he was slapped and detained for six hours,” Okakwu said.

She said that the scheme made a formal report to the state commissioner of police expressing dissatisfaction over the way the police handled the matter as the police was meant to maintain peace and not cause harm.

Okakwu explained that with efforts of the NYSC State Coordinator, the local government and zonal inspector, the state commissioner of police waded in to the matter and it was settled amicably among all parties.

According to her, the commissioner said this is not an issue for the police but one that would have been settled in the school.

The police commissioner apologised for the way his personnel handled the matter, she said.

She said that Uwakwe was redeployed to Anambra state in order to ensure his safety and protect him from any further harm and any phobia which would prevent him from carrying out his duties.

However, the director maintained that Uwakwe was not brutalised as speculated but just slapped as he did not have any bruises on his body.

Okakwu said the scheme was very concerned with the security, safety and wellbeing of its corps members, assuring that wherever corps members are serving in the country the scheme will continue to ensure their welfare and security. (NAN)

KRY/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Audio Attached: Cleric urges Bwari Area Council to be security-conscious

NAN-H-98
Amenities
By Fortune Abang

Bwari (FCT), Feb 17, 2017 (NAN) A cleric, Rev. Success Silas, has urged the authorities of the Bwari Area Council to be alert to safeguard the lives and property of residents.

Silas, who is the Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Mpape Zone, Abuja, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bwari, FCT on Friday.

The cleric called for the setting up of a machinery that would strengthen surveillance in not only Bwari and FCT, but the country in general.

Cue in audio

“In respect of the happenings across the nation, I humbly advise the area council to be alert.

“And then, equally set up machinery that will be able to watch closely the happenings in that area, not only in Bwari.

“If you look at what is happening in the country today, a lot of things are at stake and that need to be really watched, most especially security and then the roads.

“If you look at the roads coming to Bwari, Bwari area council really needs to look at that area and thirdly is the issue of light in the environment indeed.

“If you look at some of the communities most of them have issues and challenges that have to do with light, in this vein I would equally like the area council to do something about it.”

Cue out audio

According to Silas, who is also the Chairman, Board of Advisory Council of PFN, government has tried, but it still needs to do more.

“We only pray that the council authority does not relent on its cause to deliver democratic dividends.

“Urgent steps need to be taken to ameliorate the suffering of the people and also to woo investors to the area.

“The road in Bwari has become a death-trap for motorists, government must look into it,” he said. (NAN)
FEA/YEE

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

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Defence/Security

Audio Attached: Association wants FG to prioritise security of Nigerian child

NAN-DS-1

Security

By Olayinka Olawale

Lagos, Jan. 30, 2017 (NAN) The National Parents/Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has advised the Federal Government to make the security of the Nigerian child a top priority in 2017.

 

The Deputy President II of the association, Mr Adeolu Ogunbanjo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday that the advice had become necessary in view of the need for parents to safeguard the lives of their children.

 

Cue in audio (Ogunbanjo)

 

“Nigerian parents are looking out for a situation where their children are secure in various schools particularly in view of the frequent kidnapping and all that.

 

“Again, government should fulfil all the promises it made concerning the education of the Nigerian child.

 

“Government should live up to its promises; whatever agreement it entered into with our tertiary institutions in 2009, it should live up to it, rather than re-negotiate it.

 

“The government has got to sort issues out with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Non-Academic Staff Union, and the Senior Staff Association Nigerian Universities, so that education can be worthwhile.

 

“Many people are now being careful about sending their children to public tertiary institutions because for a four year programme, they end up spending seven to eight years.

 

“So, government must live up to its billing or whatever promise it must have made to them.

 

“Thank God they are now re-negotiating, but let’s hope that this will stop incessant strike we are experiencing in the education sector.’’

 

Cue out audio

 

It will be recalled that on April 14, 2014, more than 200 girls were abducted from the Government Secondary School, Chibok, while boys were hacked to death.

 

Till date some have not been seen, while those released or rescued have horrid stories to tell.

Today, cultism in the country’s tertiary institutions has led to mayhem and killing of students, thereby leading to the incarceration and expulsion of both guilty and innocent students.

 

A UNICEF report has indicated that violent attacks have adversely affected education in the North East.

 

The report says that violence and the Boko Haram conflict in the region have kept many children out of the classroom for more than a year, putting them at risk of dropping out of school.

 

Hundreds of schools have been attacked, looted or burned by Boko Haram with the violence leading to the closure of more than 2,000 schools in Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon. (NAN)

OOG/AIB/LAB/YEE

Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Lydia Beshel/Emmanuel Yashim

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Defence/Security

NOA alert Kwara residents on security

NOA alert Kwara residents on security

NAN-H-62

Security

By Usman Aliyu

Ilorin, Jan. 9, 2017 (NAN) The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on residents of Kwara to be on security alert more than ever in the wake of the dislodgement of Boko Haram insurgents from Sambisa forest.

The acting Director of the agency in Kwara, Mr Olusegun Adeyemi, made the call in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Monday.

He said that the call became necessary due to the reports that the dislodged insurgents were making attempts to infiltrate public and private places across the country.

Adeyemi noted that some of these insurgents, who escaped being killed or arrested by the Military were making efforts to wreck havoc in churches, mosques and markets, among other public places.

The director, therefore, enjoined landlords, transporters, community associations, traditional rulers and all citizens to be more careful, vigilant of people around and report suspicious movements and objects to security agencies.

“Security is everyone’s business,” he said. (NAN)

AUO/TO/MST

Edited by Tola Okinbaloye/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

We will not force IDPs to return home – Shettima

NAN-H-37
IDPs
By Ali Inuwa
Konduga (Borno) Sept. 12, 2016 (NAN) Borno Government has no plans to force Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), whose communities had been liberated by the military to return back home, Gov. Kashim Shettima, has said.

The governor made the statement on Monday while speaking with newsmen shortly after performing the two rakaat Eid prayers in Konduga, headquarters of Konduga Local Government Area.

“I want to say without any fear of contradiction that government has no plan to force any persons back home to his or her community.

“We will not compel individuals to go back to their place,’’ Shettima, who was accompanied by the Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Garba Abari and other top government officials said.

He said that rather than compel the IDPs to return home, government would give them the freedom to either choose to return home or stay where they are.

“We have not compelled anyone to go back to Konduga, Mafa or Dikwa because peace does not require propaganda; peace manifests, it shows itself where it evolves and people respond to it by going to peaceful places.

“Some IDPs have even started returning to their communities months ago without our knowledge.

“Through local information gathering mechanism, they got to know that peace had returned to their communities and they responded by going back in groups,’’ Shettima said.

The governor said that he decided to observe the Eld prayer in Konduga to showcase the gradual return of peace in the state.

“Our performing Eid prayer in Konduga is significant as we want to show the world that as painful as it is, the process of enthronement of peace has begun in the state.
“We came to share this moment with the people and to also reassure them that we would not have allowed them to return to Konduga if it was classified unsafe; this is why we are here with them,’’ he said.
Shettima expressed optimism that in the nearest future, the state would overcome its current security challenges.

“In the coming weeks and months, we shall have an enduring peace all over the state,’’ the governor said and commended the military for its efforts in tackling the insurgents. (NAN)
ABI/JEY/AEA
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Edited by Johnson Eyiangho and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

Defence/Security

Residents applaud tight security in Damaturu during Eid prayers

NAN-H-9
Security
By Mamman Mohammed
Damaturu, Sept. 12, 2016 (NAN) Residents of Damaturu, the capital of Yobe have expressed satisfaction with the tight security in the state as Muslims observe the Eid prayers.

They told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday that `we felt secured with the presence of the security operatives.

NAN reports that security was beefed up on Monday in Damaturu with operatives deployed in strategic locations, while vehicular movement were also restricted.

NAN observed that men, women and children, who trooped out in large numbers for the prayers were screened before being allowed into the prayer grounds.

Alhaji Musa Buba said: “it is better to trek and be secured than to allow free movement of vehicles and live in fear.’’

Dr Mohammed Fari, Commandant Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in the state, said a special surveillance square was deployed to check movements of persons.

“The corps has deployed 1,538 personnel across the state for the Sallah event,’’ he said. (NAN)
MM/JEY/OFN

(Edited by Johnson Eyiangho//Felix Nwadioha)