By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has issued a blistering warning to the Nigeria Police Force over what it described as the dangerous politicisation of policing in Osun State, alleging that the state police command is increasingly behaving like an enforcement arm of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against members and leaders of the Accord Party.

HURIWA

In a statement signed by National Coordinator,Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA said its preliminary investigation into the unfolding political crisis in Osun State has produced deeply disturbing allegations of an unholy alliance between elements within the police command and suspected APC political thugs, allegedly aimed at intimidating, harassing, arresting and physically attacking Accord Party members ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The human rights organisation declared that the Nigeria Police Force is constitutionally established to protect Nigerians and enforce the law, not to serve as the attack dog, private security outfit or political enforcement machinery of the APC.
HURIWA said it was particularly alarmed by allegations that police personnel have allegedly accompanied suspected APC thugs to attack Accord Party members, while some Accord members are allegedly arrested after their names are supplied or identified by APC political actors.
“This is no longer ordinary political rivalry. If these allegations are established, what is unfolding in Osun is an assault on democracy itself and an attempt to convert the police into a political weapon for crushing opposition parties,” HURIWA said.
The organisation said it had received allegations that no fewer than seven Accord Party members have allegedly been killed by suspected APC thugs, while about 25 others have reportedly sustained injuries, with perpetrators allegedly walking freely without meaningful arrests or prosecution.
HURIWA said the allegations become even more disturbing because of claims that the Commissioner of Police in Osun State has allegedly maintained an open and suspicious relationship with Asiri Eniba, whom political opponents have identified as a prominent figure among suspected APC street enforcers.
The organisation demanded that the Police Service Commission, the Inspector-General of Police and other relevant authorities immediately investigate the allegation and determine whether the Osun police command has compromised its constitutional duty of neutrality.
POLICE ALLEGEDLY HELPING THUGS TAKE OVER MOTOR PARKS
HURIWA further raised the alarm over allegations that police personnel are allegedly assisting suspected APC thugs in attempts to take over motor parks and other strategic locations across the state.
The organisation described such allegations as a frightening development capable of turning Osun State into a political battlefield before, during and after the governorship election.
HURIWA warned that allowing political thuggery to flourish under the protection or alleged cooperation of security agencies could result in the collapse of public order and undermine citizens’ confidence in the electoral process.
The association therefore challenged the police hierarchy to come clean.
“Who authorised police officers to accompany political thugs to attack opposition members? Who authorised the arrest of Accord members allegedly identified by APC politicians? Who is protecting those allegedly responsible for the deaths and injuries being reported? And who gave anybody the authority to turn police stations and motor parks into political territories?”
HURIWA said Nigerians deserve answers.
ACCORD CANDIDATES’ ALLEGATIONS CANNOT BE SWEPT UNDER THE CARPET
The organisation said the allegations deserve urgent attention, particularly against the backdrop of complaints recently raised by Accord Party candidates in Osun State.
The member representing Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Bamidele Salam, recently accused the police of intimidating and persecuting Accord Party leaders and members.
Salam called for the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and demanded the release of Alaba Ibrahim Popoola, the Accord candidate for Ijesa South Federal Constituency, as well as Sodiq Olaniyan, a law student who was reportedly detained over allegations of cyberstalking.
Salam alleged that Olaniyan was arrested after raising concerns over alleged interference by an APC leader in the statutory responsibilities of INEC during the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards.
HURIWA said that allegation, if true, raises an alarming question:
Why would the police allegedly arrest the citizen who raised an alarm over suspected interference with an electoral process rather than thoroughly investigate the alleged interference itself?
The organisation also noted the police explanation that Popoola was arrested following a petition dated July 4 alleging involvement in illegal mining.
HURIWA said it would be irresponsible to prejudge the allegations against Popoola, but equally unacceptable for the police to use criminal allegations as a convenient cover for political persecution.
‘STOP HUNTING OPPOSITION MEMBERS’
HURIWA said it was also disturbed by allegations that Accord Party leaders, including the party’s Osun East senatorial candidate, Ibukun Fadipe, and other party leaders in the Ijesa axis, had allegedly been marked for arrest.
“We warn the police: Osun State is not a fiefdom of the APC, and the police command does not have the constitutional authority to decide who is permitted to participate in democratic politics.
“If any Accord candidate has committed a crime, investigate, charge and prosecute that person according to the law. But if police officers are being used to hunt down opposition candidates merely because political opponents have allegedly placed their names on a list, then the Inspector-General of Police must immediately dismantle such a criminal political arrangement.”
HURIWA stressed that no political party, whether ruling or opposition, should be above the law, and no security aa anogency should be permitted to act as a partisan instrument.
TINUBU MUST ACT BEFORE OSUN BECOMES A POLITICAL SLAUGHTERHOUSE
HURIWA called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene urgently, not to protect the APC or any other party, but to protect Nigeria’s democracy and the constitutional rights of Osun citizens.
The organisation said the President must demonstrate that his administration will not tolerate the use of security agencies to intimidate political opponents ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
HURIWA equally demanded immediate intervention by the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission and the National Human Rights Commission.
REDEPLOY OSUN CP IMMEDIATELY
Given the volume and gravity of the allegations surrounding the conduct of the Osun State Police Command, HURIWA demands the immediate redeployment of the current Commissioner of Police in Osun State.
The organisation said a neutral, professional and politically untainted Commissioner of Police should immediately be posted to Osun State to restore public confidence and guarantee a level playing field for all political parties.
HURIWA said the redeployment should not be interpreted as a declaration of guilt against the Commissioner but as an urgent confidence-building measure in view of the serious allegations surrounding the command.
The organisation also demands an independent investigation into:
• The reported killing of seven Accord Party members and alleged attacks resulting in injuries to about 25 others;
• Alleged collaboration between police personnel and suspected APC thugs;
• Alleged arrest of Accord members based on names supplied by political opponents;
• Alleged police assistance to suspected political thugs in taking over motor parks;
• The circumstances surrounding the detention of Accord Party members and supporters;
• The alleged relationship between the Osun Commissioner of Police and Asiri Eniba;
• Allegations of planned arrests of Accord Party candidates and leaders; and
• The general conduct of security agencies ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
HURIWA also demands that all reported cases of political violence in Osun State be independently investigated and that anybody found culpable—whether a politician, thug, police officer or other security personnel—must face the full weight of the law.
POLICE MUST CHOOSE: DEMOCRACY OR POLITICAL THUGGERY
HURIWA reminds the Nigeria Police Force that its allegiance is to the Constitution and the Nigerian people, not to the ruling APC or any individual politician.
The organisation therefore warns the Osun police command that the era when security agencies could allegedly be deployed to intimidate opposition politicians and manufacture a climate of fear must end.
The police cannot claim to be neutral while allegedly escorting political thugs to attack opponents.
The police cannot claim to protect democracy while allegedly arresting opposition members allegedly identified by ruling-party actors.
And the police cannot claim to uphold the law while suspected political enforcers allegedly roam the streets, allegedly kill and injure citizens, and allegedly seize strategic public spaces without accountability.
HURIWA therefore calls on President Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police to act before the situation degenerates beyond control.
Osun State belongs to its people—not to APC thugs, not to Accord, not to PDP and certainly not to the police.
The forthcoming election must be a contest of ideas, programmes and votes—not guns, thuggery, police intimidation and political arrests.
HURIWA will continue to monitor developments in Osun State and will hold security agencies, political actors and other relevant institutions accountable for any action capable of undermining the people’s right to freely choose their leaders.
Enough is enough.
The Nigeria Police Force must stop acting like APC’s attack dog and return immediately to its constitutional duty of protecting every Nigerian without fear or favour.

By David Owei

King Bubaraiye Dakolo, traditional ruler of Ekpetiama in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa on Monday filed an appeal on the dismissal of his suit challenging the divestment by Shell from onshore assets and pollution within his domain.

Chuks Uguru, Counsel to Dakolo said at the premises of the Federal High Court in Yenagoa that they have filed a notice of appeal because they were aggrieved by the decision of the trial court dismissing the case on technicalities.

He explained that they were at the trial court to commence the process of challenging the judgement and explore the opportunity of having a panel of three judges take a second look at the decision of the trial judge.

According to him, the legal team is approaching the Court of Appeal with eight grounds of appeal.

Uguru observed that the plaintiff is asking the Court of Appeal to determine whether the Federal High Court in Yenagoa was correct to dismiss the case at the preliminary objection stage without hearing evidence on the substantive environmental and human rights claims.

Among other issues, the appeal contends that the trial court:
“Incorrectly treated the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) grievance procedure as mandatory, even though the dispute concerns environmental pollution, petroleum asset divestment, constitutional rights, environmental remediation and compensation rather than Host Community Trust disputes governed by Chapter 3 of the Petroleum Industry Act.

“Incorrectly held that the action was barred by the Public Officers Protection Act, despite allegations of continuing environmental harm, ongoing regulatory failures and unlawful conduct which the Appellant argues fall outside the protection of limitation legislation.”

amongst other groups,
Environmental justice group, Social Action in its reaction to the judgement expressed regret that the court had to ignore the quest for environmental justice and technicalities.

Dr Prince Edegbuo
Resource Justice Manager at Social Action said that the civil society group remains committed to supporting the impacted community.

“The ongoing pollution affects the livelihood of the people and we at Social Action will remain in solidarity with them,” he said

Ekpetiama community is in the neighbourhood and part of host communities to the Gbarain-Ubie gas plant and Gbarain oilfields.

Listed as defendants in the suit No. FHC/YNG/CS/81/2025, are Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, Shell Petroleum N.V, Shell UK PLC.

Others are Attorney General of the Federation, The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Minister of Petroleum Resources and Renaissance Energy Africa Ltd.

It will be recalled that Renaissance Energy Africa, a consortium of indigenous oil firms in March 2025 acquired the onshore and shallow waters oil and gas assets hitherto operated by SPDC, following the divestments by Shell UK PLC, the parent company to SPDC.

By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reportedly declining to receive a special envoy dispatched by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, describing the decision, if confirmed, as an appropriate and timely diplomatic response to the continuing attacks, intimidation and destruction of the livelihoods of Nigerians in South Africa.

In a statement signed by HURIWA National Cordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko,the group said that Nigeria must no longer treat recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against its citizens as isolated incidents requiring only expressions of concern and periodic evacuation.

The rights group believes that the reported decision by President Tinubu to withhold an audience from the South African envoy sends an important message that Nigeria expects concrete action, accountability and restitution, rather than diplomatic explanations, whenever the lives, properties and livelihoods of Nigerians are threatened.

HURIWA therefore urges the Federal Government to make payment of compensation to Nigerians whose businesses, homes and other properties have been destroyed during xenophobic attacks in South Africa a central condition of further diplomatic engagement.

The Federal Government itself has confirmed that it has evacuated 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa following xenophobic attacks and related security concerns. This figure represents not merely a diplomatic statistic but thousands of disrupted lives, families, businesses and livelihoods.

It is therefore unacceptable for Nigerian victims to bear the economic consequences of violence directed at them while diplomatic relations and commercial interests continue as though nothing happened.

SOUTH AFRICA MUST PAY FOR THE DAMAGE

HURIWA calls on the Federal Government to demand that South Africa establish, in conjunction with Nigeria, a Victims Compensation and Restitution Framework to identify Nigerians who suffered losses during xenophobic attacks, assess their claims and ensure appropriate compensation.

The Nigerian Government should also insist on:
A transparent investigation into reported killings and attacks against Nigerians, including the reported death of Nigerian national Chika Ibe, with the perpetrators brought to justice if the allegations are established.
Full implementation and ratification of the Nigeria-South Africa Early Warning Mechanism, including effective rapid-response channels for preventing attacks and protecting foreign nationals.

A joint Nigeria-South Africa compensation mechanism for verified losses suffered by Nigerians during xenophobic violence.
Guaranteed protection of Nigerian-owned businesses and properties, with South African authorities held responsible for failures to provide reasonable protection where negligence or complicity is established.

Regular diplomatic reporting on investigations, prosecutions and measures taken by South Africa to prevent further attacks.
A clear commitment by Pretoria to zero tolerance for xenophobia and Afrophobia, including against Nigerians and other African nationals.
An independent mechanism for receiving and investigating complaints from Nigerians in South Africa, with access to both Nigerian consular officials and South African authorities.

NIGERIA MUST TAKE THE MATTER TO THE AFRICAN UNION
HURIWA particularly welcomes Vice President Kashim Shettima’s intervention at the 69th ECOWAS Summit in Sierra Leone, where Nigeria called for a united African response to Afrophobic attacks and urged continental action against xenophobia. The Federal Government has also said Nigeria intends to engage regional and continental institutions on the issue.

We urge President Tinubu to transform that position into a concrete diplomatic initiative at the African Union.
Nigeria should table the following demands before the AU:
First, the AU should adopt a continent-wide declaration condemning xenophobia, Afrophobia and organised attacks against African nationals living in other African countries.
Second, the AU should establish a Continental Framework for the Protection of African Migrants, requiring member states to protect the lives, dignity, businesses and property of African nationals residing within their territories.

Third, the AU should establish a Continental Early Warning and Rapid Response Mechanism on Xenophobia, enabling governments to share intelligence and intervene before anti-foreigner rhetoric develops into violence.
Fourth, the AU should develop a framework requiring member states to investigate attacks against African nationals and prosecute perpetrators without discrimination based on nationality.

Fifth, the AU should establish a mechanism for restitution and compensation for victims of xenophobic attacks, particularly where property and businesses have been destroyed or where state authorities have failed to provide adequate protection.
Sixth, the AU should create an annual African Migrants’ Rights Report, documenting xenophobic incidents, government responses, prosecutions, compensation and preventive measures across member states.

Seventh, the AU should develop a continental protocol against political and public rhetoric that incites hatred, violence or collective punishment against African migrants.
Eighth, member states that repeatedly fail to protect African nationals from organised xenophobic violence should face appropriate diplomatic and institutional consequences under AU mechanisms, subject to due process and established continental rules.
SOUTH AFRICA MUST REMEMBER NIGERIA’S ROLE

HURIWA also urges the Federal Government to remind South Africa that Nigeria’s historic support for the anti-apartheid struggle was not an empty gesture.
Nigeria made sacrifices in support of the liberation of Southern Africa, and the two countries have historically enjoyed strong political, economic and diplomatic relations.
That history does not give Nigerians a licence to violate South African laws, just as South Africa’s legitimate concerns about immigration cannot justify collective punishment, mob violence, discrimination or the destruction of the property of law-abiding African nationals.

NO MORE DIPLOMACY WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY

HURIWA believes that Nigeria must pursue a balanced foreign policy that protects its citizens while maintaining respect for the sovereignty of other African states.
We therefore commend the Federal Government for the reported firmness of its present position and urge President Tinubu to sustain it.
If the report that President Tinubu declined to receive the South African envoy is confirmed, HURIWA considers the action a significant assertion of Nigeria’s diplomatic dignity.

Sending a high-ranking delegation to Abuja cannot substitute for concrete commitments from Pretoria.
South Africa must demonstrate, through actions and not merely diplomatic assurances, that the lives, businesses and dignity of Nigerians are protected on its territory.
HURIWA further calls on the Federal Government to ensure that the issue does not end with the current diplomatic exchange. Nigeria must pursue justice for victims, compensation for verified losses, prosecution of perpetrators, protection of Nigerians and a binding continental framework against xenophobia.
Nigeria must lead Africa in making it clear that an African country cannot preach African unity while African nationals are attacked, displaced and deprived of their livelihoods on its soil.