By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the reported killing of passengers by armed bandits along the road to Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, describing the attack as a cruel assault on the sanctity of human life and the safety of innocent citizens.

HURIWA demands effective and efficient coordination among security agencies, backed by proactive, intelligence-led operations, to prevent further bloodshed and protect Nigerians travelling on the nation’s highways.

Reports indicate that the armed assailants intercepted a vehicle conveying passengers returning from Sokoto city on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, and opened fire on those inside. The exact number of casualties had yet to be officially confirmed as of Thursday.

Conflict reporter Bakatsine, who covers security developments in northwestern Nigeria, reported the incident and shared photographs of some of the victims.

Some of those reportedly killed were said to be among the 3,000 people recruited by the Sokoto State Government who had travelled to the state capital for further screening and collection of their documents.

HURIWA describes the reported attack as a disturbing reminder of the grave security risks confronting citizens on roads in parts of northwestern Nigeria.

The association insists that security operations must move beyond reactive responses after attacks have occurred. Intelligence gathering, information sharing, strategic deployment and timely intervention must form the foundation of efforts to dismantle armed criminal networks and protect vulnerable communities.

HURIWA calls on the relevant security agencies to urgently investigate the incident, establish the identities and number of victims, track down the perpetrators and ensure that all those responsible are arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The association warns that the killers must not be allowed to escape justice. Every failure to identify and bring perpetrators of such atrocities to account risks deepening public anxiety and weakening citizens’ confidence in the ability of the state to protect their lives.

HURIWA also urges the Sokoto State Government and relevant federal authorities to cooperate fully with security agencies, provide necessary operational support and ensure that affected families receive timely information and appropriate assistance.

While acknowledging the challenges confronting security agencies, HURIWA maintains that the protection of lives and property remains a fundamental responsibility of government that must be pursued with urgency, professionalism and measurable results.

The association calls for stronger highway surveillance, improved intelligence networks and closer coordination among the police, military and other relevant security agencies to prevent armed groups from turning public roads into killing grounds.

HURIWA extends its condolences to the families of the victims and calls on authorities to provide transparent updates on the incident as investigations proceed.

By Our Correspondent

The Senate has through its committee on Public Accounts , rejected records of volume of Petroleum importation presented to it by Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority ( NMDPRA) for 2022 and 2023 on account of wide disparities between them and those presented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited ( NNPCL).

It consequently resolved to summon heads of NMDPRA , NNPCL and Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative ( NEITI) for possible reconciliation of the records or final exposure of suspected fraud to have been carried out.

Wide disparities in records of NMDPRA and NNPCL on volume of PMS imported by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2022 and 2023 , came to the fore when management of NMDPRA responded to queries leveled against it in the NEITI Audit report of 2021 to 2023 .

Authority Chief Executive of NMDPRA ( ACE) , Mallam Rabiu Abdullahi Umar , represented by a Deputy Director , Uzoamaka Ugwu – Ojobe , had in responding to NEITI query, told the committee that NMDPRA records on volume of Petroleum importation were credible despite disparities with those of the NNPCL .

” We stand by 3.29billion litres of PMS as volume imported in 2022 and 6.02billion litres as volume imported in 2023 against 6.27 billion litres recorded by NNPCL in 2022 and 3.88billion litres in 2023.

” The slight disparities are being looked into for possible reconciliation “, she said .

Irked by her submission , a member of tbe committee, Senator Abdul Ningi ( Bauchi Central ) , said disparities of over 50% are not slight but wide and very disturbing and suspicious .

” The disparities in records of PMS importation between NMDPRA and NNPCL in 2022 and 2023 as stated in the NEITI Oil and Gas Industry Audit report of 2021 to 2023 , are too wide to be described as slight or being looked into without the seriousness required”, he said .

Also miffed by the huge disparities in the records , Senator Dayo Faduyile ( Ondo South ) , said the disparities leave a lot of room for someone to think that something is amis .

Outrightly rejecting the NMDPRA’ s defence , Senator Anietan Bassey ( Akwa Ibom North East ) , said thorough investigation of the wide disparity must be carried out by the committee as according to him, Nigerians must not be allowed to be shortchanged on yearly basis as glaringly shown with the NMDPRA and NNPCL records of PMS importation .

“Mr Chairman and very distinguished colleagues , these questionable records of volume of PMS importation by the two agencies , must be thoroughly investigated to safe Nigerians from being yearly shortchanged and expose those milking the country dry .”, he said .

Consequently , the committee chaired by Senator Hassan Dankwabo ( Gombe North ) , rejected the NMDPRA defence and resolved to call for tripartite meeting of the agencies involved soonest .

“In view of the unacceptability of presentations made by representative of NMDPRA on queries raised against it in the NEITI Oil and Gas Audit report covering 2021 to 2023, specifically on volume of PMS imported within the years under review , this committee resolved to summon heads of NMDPRA , NNPCL and NEITI for reasons behind the wide disparities “, he said .

HURIWA Raises Alarm Over Ebola in Abuja, Demands Emergency Shield for Schoolchildren

-Warns FCT authorities against allowing schools to become centres of infection
By George Mgbeleke
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised the alarm over the confirmation of an Ebola case in Abuja, demanding an immediate joint emergency response by the Federal Capital Territory’s health and education departments to protect schoolchildren from a potentially deadly public health threat.
HURIWA warned that the safety of Nigerian children must not be left to chance, bureaucratic delays or a reactive government response after lives have been put at risk.
The association called on the FCT Administration to immediately activate a coordinated school health protection plan, insisting that every reasonable precaution must be taken to prevent the virus from entering classrooms and spreading through school communities.
With Ebola now reported in Abuja amid a wider regional outbreak, HURIWA said the authorities must move beyond routine assurances and demonstrate visible preparedness, effective surveillance and the capacity to respond swiftly to any suspected infection.
The association expressed concern that any failure to coordinate health surveillance with school administration could complicate efforts to identify possible exposure, communicate risks and prevent further transmission.
HURIWA insists that Nigerian schools must not become the next line of vulnerability in the Ebola emergency.
The association therefore demanded that the FCT health and education departments establish an emergency coordination mechanism involving school proprietors, head teachers, school health personnel, parents and relevant disease surveillance agencies.
It called for immediate risk assessments in schools, clear procedures for reporting suspected cases, rapid referral arrangements with designated health facilities and targeted public health education for teachers, pupils and parents.
HURIWA also urged authorities to ensure that schools have adequate handwashing facilities and follow appropriate infection prevention and control guidance issued by competent public health agencies.
The association stressed that school administrators must receive clear, authoritative instructions on how to respond to suspected cases without exposing other pupils and staff to unnecessary risks.
It further demanded intensified public awareness campaigns to ensure that parents and schoolchildren understand the importance of early reporting, medical assessment and compliance with official health advice.
“This is not a moment for government complacency. The protection of schoolchildren must be treated as an emergency priority, not an administrative afterthought,” HURIWA said.
The association called on the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the FCT health authorities to provide timely, transparent updates on the response, including relevant information on surveillance, contact tracing and preventive measures.
HURIWA cautioned against concealing critical public health information, noting that timely communication is essential to maintaining public trust and securing community cooperation. It equally warned against spreading unverified claims capable of triggering panic or stigmatising people who may have been exposed to the virus.
The association reminded the authorities that Nigeria’s experience during the 2014 Ebola outbreak demonstrated the importance of early detection, coordinated action and strict infection prevention measures.
It maintained that the country must not wait for infections to multiply before strengthening its defences.
HURIWA also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant, follow verified health advisories and seek prompt professional medical attention if they suspect exposure, while avoiding self-diagnosis and misinformation.
The association emphasised that protecting children is a fundamental public responsibility and that the FCT Administration must demonstrate leadership through urgent, measurable and coordinated action.
HURIWA demands that the authorities act now, before a preventable public health threat becomes a wider school safety crisis.
The association said every reasonable step must be taken to contain the outbreak, protect vulnerable communities and prevent avoidable loss of lives.