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Boko Haram Members Are War Criminals – UN …Army Kills Seven In Borno
Executive Director, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Mr Newton Ordia (left), with Chairman, Forum of Advocates for Social Housing, Mr Ezekiel Nya-Etok, at the 4th Annual National Social Housing Seminar in Abuja last Friday.
Nigeria’s Boko Haram Islamists could be classed as war criminals, the United Nations human rights office said yesterday, as it condemned a bloody attack on a wedding convoy.
“Members of Boko Haram and other groups and entities, if judged to have committed widespread or systematic attacks against a civilian population … (could be) guilty of crimes against humanity,” said Cecile Pouilly, spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The Islamist insurgents have killed dozens of people over recent days in restive northeast Nigeria, first storming a town on motorbikes and pick-up trucks and then carrying out highway ambushes.
Boko Haram gunmen were blamed for last Saturday’s slaying of more than 30 people, including the groom, when a wedding convoy was halted on a road near the border with Cameroon.
Pouilly called the wedding convoy attack “atrocious” and condemned Boko Haram’s campaign of “cowardly attacks” against civilians, politicians, members of government institutions, foreigners and the security forces.
In May, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency across the northeast and launched an offensive aimed at crushing the Islamists’ four-year uprising that has claimed thousands of lives since 2009.
Human rights groups have also slammed government troops for killing civilians and for other violations in the battle zone.
“We are also following up closely with the Nigerian authorities allegations of abuses and human rights violations which may have been committed by security forces when conducting operations,” said Pouilly.
She noted that the Nigerian military was in the process of finalising a report on people detained in connection with the insurgency, and urged the government to disclose its findings.
“We also call on the Nigerian government to ensure that security forces act in conformity with the law and avoid excessive use of force when conducting operations,” she added.
Meanwhile, the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, said it shot dead seven suspected Boko Haram militants in a renewed onslaught in suspected hideouts of the insurgents in Borno State.
Lt.-Col. Mohammad Dole, the spokesman of the division, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri, yesterday.
According to him, “in simultaneous operations conducted by troops from 5 Brigade at Ngala axis and 21 Brigade at general area of Bama last Monday, the military recorded huge successes as seven suspected Boko Haram militants were killed and several others injured.
” A total of 13 vehicles and several motorcycles belonging to the terrorists were destroyed. “Some of the vehicles destroyed contained Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) meant to be detonated in some towns and villages within the state.” “Several arms and ammunition were also captured,” Dole said.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene