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Senate confirms appointments of Chair, members of NHRC

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The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the nomination of Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman as Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission.

Also confirmed were the appointments of fifteen other nominees as members of the Commission.

The nominees include: Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Amb. Umar Zainab Salisu, Mrs. Dafe T. Adesida, Joseph Onyemaechi Mmamel, Ahmad Abubakar Fingilla, Kemi Asiwaju-Okenyodo, and Abubakar Muhammad.

Others are: Femi Okeowo, Sunny Daniel, Barr. Agabaidu Chukwuemeka Jideani, Mrs. Nella Andem-Rabana, Azubuike Nwakwenta, Jamila Isah, Mrs. Idayat Omolara Hassan, and Mr. Anthony Ojukwu.

The confirmation of the nominees followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), said that the Committee was guided by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the extant law, which established the National Human Rights Commission.

He, however, observed that Section 14(3) of the Constitution requires that the composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies, should reflect the Federal Character Principles.

Citing Section 3(2) and 3 of the National Human Rights (Amendment) Act, he noted that the composition of the Council to consist of the Chairman and Members of the Commission should represent various segments of the human rights community.

According to the lawmaker, “it is noteworthy to state that the composition of the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission as presented to the 9th Senate, does not comply with the provisions of the Constitution as it relates to the Federal Character Principles.”

He added that, “human rights issues does not only affect a segment but cut across all parts of the country. As such, all geo-political zones must be represented in conformity with the provisions of the Constitution, in light of emerging human rights abuses in the country.”

The lawmaker, therefore, urged, “that the Senate do draw the attention of Mr. President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation to the lop-sidedness in the composition of the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission, which is an infraction against the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.”

Bamidele further noted, “that the Senate and indeed the National Assembly does not only make law but also ensures that the laws made are complied with, through the mechanisms of checks and balances.

“Therefore, it is our duty to draw the attention of the Executive who is saddled with the responsibilities of making nominations for appointments into any position in the country to ensure compliance with the Federal Character Principles in line with the Constitution.”

Contributing, Senator Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North) described the nominees as “qualified to hold the saddle of the position that each of them were nominated for.”

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks after the appointments of the nominees were confirmed, urged the executive arm of government to comply with the observations raised by the Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters Committee, by ensuring it adheres to the Federal Character Principles as provided in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in making appointments.

“The Committee has raised some observations, and I want to reiterate here that the executive should take very serious note of the observations raised in the area of ensuring that there is compliance with the constitutional provisions for appointments like this”, the Senate President said.

 

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Defence and Security

Nigerian Navy Intercepts 17,000 Litres of Suspected Illegally Refined AGO in Rivers

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August 8, 2026

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The Nigerian Navy has intercepted abour 17,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

This is contained in an operational report by the Director of Naval Information, Capt Abiodun Folorunsho, on Saturday in Abuja.

Folorunsho said, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER made the interception during ongoing anti-crude oil theft operations within its Area of Operation.

“During the operation, a speedboat conveying the suspected illegally refined petroleum product was intercepted along the Onne/Okrika waterways.

“The recovered speedboat and the suspected illegally refined AGO were handled in accordance with extant anti-crude oil theft procedures.

“Efforts are also ongoing to identify and apprehend those connected with the illegal activity.”

The naval spokesperson said that the latest operational success further demonstrated the navy’s sustained commitment to disrupting the illicit petroleum supply chain.

He said it also denied economic saboteurs freedom of action, while protecting Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure from criminal exploitation.

Folorunsho reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations to combat crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage, while safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime environment and supporting national economic security.

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Defence and Security

8 Division Garrison Troops Foil Bandit Attack, Prevent Livestock Rustling in Sokoto Community

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August 6, 2026

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A terrorist attack has been foiled by troops of the 8 Division Garrison of the Nigerian Army, chasing away a gang of bandits attempting to rustle livestock in Asarara village in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
A credible security source from the area disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Sokoto.
The source said the incident occurred on Wednesday when a gang of bandits attacked the community in an attempt to kidnap residents and rustle animals.
“The gallant troops engaged the bandits in a fierce exchange of fire, which forced them to retreat in disarray, while some of the bandits escaped with gunshot wounds.
“The quick response of the troops and continued vigilance saved the lives and property of villagers,” the source said.
The source, who pleaded anonymity, said he had no authority to speak to the press, and added that the bandits had been pushed back to the Gwangi community along the riverside in the area.
The credible source appreciated the cooperation of residents for sharing prompt information and urged them to sustain the effort.
“Proactive measures have been put in place to protect lives and property.
“The swift response, professionalism, and courage displayed by military personnel averted what could have been a tragic incident,” the source said.
The source appealed for continued support from residents, while stressing the need for more vigilance in farming communities.

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Defence and Security

Coordinated Troops Operations Rescue 16 Kidnapped Victims, Nab Terror Collaborators

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August 5, 2026

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The Nigerian Army says troops rescued 16 kidnapped victims, recovered 281 rustled livestock and apprehended suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers in coordinated operations across Borno, Sokoto State, Zamfara and Plateau.

An operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday revealed that the operations were carried out in the last 24 hours.

The army said the operations also led to the interception of suspected Boko Haram family members, recovery of suspected hard drugs, mobile phones and other items linked to terrorist activities.

In the North-East, it revealed troops of 222 Battalion intercepted 20 suspected family members of Boko Haram insurgents comprising nine women, two men and nine children along the Gezuwa axis in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.

According to the army, the suspects said they escaped from the Gezuwa terrorist camp following an attack by rival ISWAP fighters and were handed over to military authorities for further profiling.

“Troops also arrested two suspected terrorist collaborators in Geidam, Yobe State, who allegedly supplied hard drugs to terrorists.

“Items recovered included substances suspected to be cannabis, 11 mobile phones and ₦14,530.

In Monguno, troops apprehended two suspected logistics suppliers to ISWAP terrorists.

“The suspects allegedly confessed to conveying food items to terrorists in Kukawa and were found with mobile phones, an assault knife, an ISWAP gate pass and ₦6,600.

“Troops also rescued a woman kidnapped by terrorists since November 2025 in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno and reunited her with her family after medical attention,” the army said.

The army also revealed that troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, rescued 14 kidnapped victims, recovered 281 rustled livestock and two motorcycles after engaging terrorists in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

It added that separate operations in Sabon Birni, Sokoto, and Zurmi, Zamfara, also forced terrorists to abandon two kidnapped victims, one of whom sustained gunshot wounds and was evacuated to hospital.

The military said that troops also apprehended a suspect linked to attacks in Southern Kaduna during operations in Plateau.

“In Mangu, troops rescued injured farmers attacked by suspected herders, confiscated 27 cattle from fleeing attackers and arrested 19 suspects during follow-up raids in Riyom after two soldiers were killed in an ambush,” the army added.

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