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HCRC Condemns In Strong Terms The Sexual Violence At Ozoro Festival

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  PRESS RELEASE HUMAN AND COMMUNITY RIGHTS CENTRE (HCRC) March 22, 2026 HCRC CONDEMNS IN STRONG TERMS THE SEXUAL VIOLENCE AT OZORO FESTIVAL The Human and Community Rights Centre (HCRC) expresses its deepest outrage and unequivocal condemnation of the disturbing acts of sexual violence reportedly perpetrated against women during a recent festival in Ozoro, Delta State. No society that claims to uphold justice, dignity, and humanity can tolerate the brutalization, humiliation, and violation of women under any guise whatsoever. The reported incidents—where women were allegedly harassed, stripped, assaulted, and dehumanized in public—represent a grave assault not only on the victims but on the collective conscience of our nation. Let it be made unequivocally clear: there is no cultural, traditional, or social justification for sexual violence. Any practice or gathering that enables or excuses such acts is not culture—it is criminality in its most reprehensible form. These acts constitu...
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Tears and Outrage as Amnesty International Exposes Alleged Atrocities at Imo Police Unit

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  Stakeholders from the South-East region — including traditional rulers, human rights advocates, legal practitioners, and representatives of civil society and non-governmental organisations — were reportedly moved to tears during a public presentation detailing alleged human rights violations by a police unit in Imo State. The report, presented in Enugu by Amnesty International, detailed allegations of torture, rape, prolonged detention without trial, and extrajudicial killings at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Nigeria Police Force in Owerri, popularly known as 'Tiger Base.' The unit operates under the Imo State Command. Titled “Tiger Base of Atrocities: Human Rights Violations by Nigeria Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Owerri,” the report covered investigations conducted between May 2025 and February 2026. It was presented by Amnesty International’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi. According to the report, officers attached to the unit allegedly engaged in prolonged arbitrary de...
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HURIWA Urges IGP Disu to Revive Human Rights Desks Nationwide

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The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called upon the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Tunji Disu, to revitalise the dormant Human Rights Desks across police commands nationwide. The association further urged the IGP to confront the deeply entrenched issues of corruption, impunity, and unprofessional conduct within the Nigeria Police Force. It emphasised that meaningful reform would require more than public assurances and rhetorical commitments. HURIWA advised the new police chief to take decisive and practical steps to address internal divisions within the Force and to restore public confidence, which it noted had been severely eroded by misconduct and criminal behaviour attributed to certain officers. The group also recommended an overhaul of police barracks and stations throughout the country, advocating for the development of modern and hygienic facilities to ensure that officers operate in decent and professional working environments.
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Civil Society Groups Demand Direct Access to African Human Rights Court

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  Civil Society Groups Demand Direct Access to African Human Rights Court A coalition of 24 Nigerian and international civil society organisations has called upon the Federal Government to grant Nigerians direct access to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. In a joint statement addressed to the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu, the organisations urged the government to make and deposit the declaration under Article 34(6) of the Protocol Establishing the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Such a declaration would permit Nigerians and eligible non-governmental organisations to approach the Court directly after exhausting domestic remedies. The statement followed a letter sent to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). Although Nigeria ratified the Protocol establishing the Court in 2004, it has yet to make the optional declaration required to enable direct access. The coalition contends that this omis...
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Oluwo Calls for Abolition of Harmful Cultural Practices Violating Human Rights

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  Oluwo Calls for Abolition of Harmful Cultural Practices Violating Human Rights The Oluwo of Iwo in Osun State, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has called on the Nigeria Police Force to support the abolition of what he described as barbaric and unconstitutional cultural practices that endanger public safety and infringe upon citizens’ fundamental rights. The monarch made this appeal in Ikeja, Lagos State, during the unveiling of “Diary of an Audacious Reformer,” a book written in honour of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. The book was authored by veteran journalist and Razornews Chief Executive Officer, Sunday Odita, and chronicles Egbetokun’s professional journey, highlighting reforms credited with enhancing efficiency within the Nigeria Police Force. Speaking at a panel session titled “Institutional Collaboration as a Tool for Counter-Terrorism and Crime,” Oba Akanbi urged security agencies to take decisive steps to curb certain traditional practices. These include th...
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Engineers Advocate Ethical Artificial Intelligence to Safeguard Human Rights

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  Engineers Advocate Ethical Artificial Intelligence to Safeguard Human Rights Engineers across Africa have called for the ethical deployment of artificial intelligence to address insecurity, forced labour, and human trafficking.  Nigerian software engineer Ayotunde Somoye emphasised that AI should assist human investigators rather than replace human judgment.  He noted that AI can help identify early warning signs and irregular recruitment patterns while ensuring that final decisions remain with people to protect human rights and maintain accountability.
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NHRC Records 3,019 Human Rights Complaints in Kano State in 2025

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  NHRC Records 3,019 Human Rights Complaints in Kano State in 2025 The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) reported receiving 3,019 human rights complaints in Kano State between January and December 2025. Of these, 2,276 cases were concluded, while 743 remain ongoing.  Major complaints included child rights violations, domestic violence, law enforcement abuses, and sexual and gender-based violence. The commission also recorded over 2,000 migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, returnees, and internally displaced persons during a statewide data-collection exercise.  The NHRC plans to intensify sensitisation campaigns and strengthen collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and other stakeholders.
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