George Mgbeleka

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take immediate and decisive action to rescue about 80 schoolchildren and teachers reportedly held captive by terrorists in Borno State for nearly six months.

HURIWA in a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko said the President has a legal, constitutional and moral obligation to ensure the safe return of the abducted children, stressing that Nigerians should not have to beg their government to protect their lives.

The association expressed concern that the prolonged captivity of the victims has raised troubling questions about the effectiveness of the government’s security response and its commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens.

HURIWA said the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, bears a central responsibility for providing leadership, direction and coordination in the national security response.

It stressed that protecting lives and property is a fundamental responsibility of government under the Constitution, alongside the promotion of the welfare of citizens.

The association maintained that the continued captivity of the children demands urgent presidential intervention, effective coordination among security agencies and clear communication with the affected families.

The victims were reportedly abducted in two separate attacks in Mussa and Lassa communities in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State between May and June 2026.

Reports indicate that about 40 to 44 children were taken in the first attack, although the exact number remains disputed, while 36 pupils and a teacher were reportedly abducted in the second incident.

The prolonged captivity has caused severe distress among affected families, some of whom have publicly questioned why their children remain in captivity while pupils abducted in a separate incident in Oyo State were released after 57 days.

HURIWA said the concerns expressed by the parents deserve urgent attention rather than repeated assurances without publicly verifiable progress.

The association also called for a comprehensive review of the Safe School Initiative, introduced after the 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State.

It said the persistence of school abductions more than a decade after the initiative’s introduction points to the need for stronger implementation, improved intelligence gathering, better coordination among security agencies and accountability for lapses.

HURIWA further stressed that securing schools must go beyond physical infrastructure to include early-warning systems, rapid emergency responses and effective protection for communities surrounding vulnerable schools.

The association urged the Federal Government to intensify lawful and intelligence-led efforts to secure the release of all the captives without exposing them to additional danger.

It also called on the authorities to provide affected families with credible updates on rescue efforts while avoiding disclosures that could compromise ongoing security operations.

HURIWA said the children must not be allowed to become forgotten victims of Nigeria’s protracted insecurity crisis.

The association insisted that the safe return of the abducted pupils and their teachers must remain an urgent national priority and called on the President to demonstrate the leadership required to bring their ordeal to an end.

By our correspondent

A faith-based civil society organisation, CSO, the Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, to enforce a uniform fee and transparent system for Hadaya for the 2027 Hajj.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, on Monday, the organisation said disparities in Hadaya charges across states raise transparency concerns.

IHR said pilgrims from different states, especially in the North, pay equal Hajj fares but are charged different amounts for the ritual sacrifice.

It urged NAHCON as apex regulator to create a single guideline and pricing structure for Hadaya.

The group acknowledged that Hadaya during Mashair is handled through different intermediaries for states, but said the current fragmented system lacks tracking and accountability.

“Pilgrims from the northern zone, for example, paid equal amounts of Hajj fare and as such should be made to pay the same amount of Hadaya fee,” the statement said.

IHR proposed a central coordinating committee comprising NAHCON and state pilgrims welfare boards to harmonise charges and monitor execution.

Hadaya is the obligatory animal sacrifice for pilgrims performing Tamattu’ Hajj — a category that covers over 98% of Nigerian pilgrims.

The CSO noted the 2027 Hajj cost template excludes Hadaya, leaving states to fix their own fees, a loophole that fuels disparity and possible fraud.

It stressed that transparency must go beyond fees to ensure sacrifices are actually performed in line with Sharia — proper timing, location and condition of animal — to protect pilgrims financially and religiously.

By Uthman Baba-Naseer,Minna

Niger state State Governor, Umaru Bago has called on religious leaders to during their sermons preach against teenage mining.

Governor Bago said on Tuesday when the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria CAN Niger state chapter led by Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna paid a condolence visit following the death of 37 teenage artisanal miners who died in the custody of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) that basic and secondary education is free in the state.

According to him “we are bedevilled with the crisis that happened at the custody of NSCDC. Please, call on parents not to expose their children to this dangerous kind of business.

“Please, use the church and mosques to call on parents to discourage their children from indulging in Artisanal mining and to encourage them to enrol in schools so that they can be better citizens tomorrow.

“We all have a responsibility to ensure enrolment into school is encouraged because both basic and secondary education in Niger state are free for all our children.

“It has always been free and we will continue to re-emphasize that it is free. So, there is no reason why any parent will not allow their child to go to school.

“So, use the house of God to during your sermons and preaching to call on our children to go to school.”
Niger state urges Religious Leaders to Preach against teenage mining.
While assuring that the government will ensure it followed the inquiry to the last to uncover the truth, Governor Bago said “this tragedy was avoidable, but because of lack of professionalism on the part of the officers, we have found ourselves with 37 deaths in our hands.

“This we cannot sweep under the carpet and by the grace of God and the oath of office we are going to ensure we pursue the matter to its logical conclusion.”

Speaking earlier, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN Niger state Chapter, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna while extending the deepest condolences of the entire Christendom to the Governor, and the relatives of the victims described the death of the 37 young Artisanal miners in the custody of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as wanton and tragic.

Represented by his Deputy, Rev. Joshua Marcus, the Chairman who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese commended the Governor for prioritising human lives over politics, adding that “shifting the flag off of your campaign shows how humane you are and we thank you for ensuring peace is restored”.

While praying to God to grant the departed souls eternal rest and heal the hearts of relatives who lost their children, Bishop Yohanna appeal to the Governor to ensure the true cause of the death is unravelled.

Prayers were then offered by the immediate past Chairman of CAN, Rec. Mathias Echioda.