NHRC, UNHCR Train Stakeholders on Crowd-Sourcing Human Rights Protection Mechanisms for Displaced Persons
By Ahmed Kaigama
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has commenced a capacity-building programme to train key stakeholders on crowd-sourcing human rights protection mechanisms aimed at enhancing the protection of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Forcibly Displaced Persons (FDPs) in Borno State
The two-day training brought together representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Community Protection Action Groups (CPAGs), and Human Rights Monitors from Adamawa in the State.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, said the programme was designed to equip stakeholders with the knowledge and tools required to gather, verify, document and securely transmit information on human rights violations and protection risks affecting displaced persons and host communities.
Ojukwu explained that the initiative forms part of the 2026 NHRC/UNHCR project aimed at strengthening early warning and rapid response systems through timely reporting of security incidents, displacement movements and humanitarian protection concerns.
According to him, persistent conflicts and insecurity have continued to expose displaced persons to numerous risks, including sexual and gender-based violence, limited access to healthcare, education, shelter, justice, documentation and other fundamental rights.
He noted that participants would be trained on ethical information gathering, confidentiality, verification processes and the use of digital tools to ensure prompt and secure reporting of incidents.
“The objective is to improve the reporting system and strengthen the alert mechanism so that information reaches responders faster. Timely information and timely intervention can save lives and reduce suffering among displaced populations,” he said.
The NHRC boss added that the crowd-sourcing approach would transform community members and frontline actors into an effective early warning network capable of detecting and reporting protection concerns in hard-to-reach areas.
Also speaking, Mr. Daniel Bisu, Assistant Protection Officer, UNHCR Maiduguri, urged participants to prioritise the prompt reporting of human rights violations, stressing that delays in reporting often deprive victims of timely assistance and protection.
He said the training would expose participants to practical methods of documenting and reporting violations through accessible and trusted channels, enabling response agencies to provide legal, medical, psychosocial and other forms of support.
In her remarks, Habiba Ghana of the Borno State Ministry of Justice described the training as a welcome initiative that would strengthen stakeholders’ capacity to promote and protect human rights within their communities.
She encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity and apply the knowledge gained to address human rights violations and improve protection outcomes for vulnerable populations.
