By Zainab Olufunmi
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has organised a high-level training for security agencies and government officials in Kano to strengthen human rights and humanitarian responses in the North-West region.
The two-day training, held from Oct. 22 to 23, focused on integrating human rights principles into the operations of agencies working with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), refugees, asylum seekers and returnees.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, represented by Dr. Benedict Agu, Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary and Project Coordinator, said the training was part of the ongoing NHRC/UNHCR 2025 Project on the Protection of Human Rights of IDPs, Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Returnees through Information and Data Collection in Nigeria.
He said the project, which commenced in January 2025, is being implemented across 11 states — Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Borno, Benue, Cross River, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara — targeting the most affected local government areas.
Ojukwu explained that Human Rights Monitors (HRMs) and Community Protection Action Group (CPAG) members had been deployed to the identified areas to document protection issues, visit detention facilities, and refer cases to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
“The plight of persons displaced by insurgency, armed conflicts, flooding and drought should be of concern to all,” he said, stressing the need for coordinated efforts to safeguard the rights and dignity of displaced persons.
He commended the support of UNHCR since 2015 and reaffirmed NHRC’s commitment to sustaining the annual engagement.
“This meeting will also present a learning opportunity for all of us involved in protection and humanitarian interventions,” he added.
Earlier, the NHRC Kano Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Shehu Abdullahi, said the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to strengthen dialogue and coordination on migration and displacement issues.
He said the rights of migrants and host communities must be protected, noting that migration-related insecurity affects both local and regional stability.
Abdullahi said the discussions focused on improving referral pathways, enhancing inter-agency collaboration and identifying areas for future partnership.
The meeting featured participants from the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Also in attendance were representatives of civil society organisations (CSOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), religious leaders and traditional rulers.
The training ended with a renewed commitment by participants to uphold the rights and dignity of displaced and vulnerable persons through joint action and strategic partnerships.
