News - News Agency Of Nigeria

Venezuela: UN independent investigators seek immediate release of all political prisoners (Page 115)

By Cecilia Ologunagba

New York, Jan. 12, 2026 (NAN) UN independent investigators on Monday called for immediate release of all political prisoners in Venezuela, stating that more than 100 political prisoners had been released in the country.

The independent UN human rights investigators,, in a statement said, the government had announced the release of more than 100 political prisoners.

This was coming just over a week after the seizure and rendition of President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas by the United States.

“Any step that restores liberty to individuals who have been arbitrarily detained is significant for those concerned and for their families,’’ they said.

The Human Rights Council -mandated Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela estimates that there are around 800 political prisoners in the country

It also said the partial release fell short of the government’s human rights obligations for their immediate and unconditional release.

The move comes as the country is adapting to new leadership under Acting President Delcy Rodríguez.

The UN human rights office (OHCHR) has called on the Venezuelan authorities and the United States to ensure full respect for international law and has expressed concern over further militarisation in the country.

The fact-finding mission has extensively documented what it characterised as the widespread and systematic use of arbitrary detention as a tool of repression and reiterated its call for the ‘immediate and unconditional’ release of all political prisoners.

The experts also urged authorities to provide public information about prisoners and bring detention conditions in line with international law, including by immediately halting torture and cruel treatment.

“Relatives must be provided with clear and timely information about the fate, whereabouts, and legal status of their loved ones, as well as guaranteed access and regular visits,” they said.

Investigators said they had received information about armed colectivos, or Government-backed armed groups, who have been reportedly patrolling cities and intimidating the population since the US operation.

Also, fresh arrests had been made during the crisis for those expressing dissenting political opinions.

The independent fact-finding mission for Venezuela had cited multiple rights violations since it was established in 2019.

In its investigation into the country’s contested presidential elections in 2024, the mission’s findings included arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances and torture.

This mission said the authorities had failed to comply with recommendations to investigate human rights violations and implement measures to prevent their reoccurrence.

Investigators also found that during the peak of protests in 2014, 2017, 2019 and 2024, officials of Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Guard used excessive force, including the improper use of lethal and less-lethal weapons, among other violations. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Venezuela: UN independent investigators seek immediate release of all political prisoners

By: Mark Longyen

On: January 13, 2026

In: Foreign

With: 0 Comments

By Cecilia Ologunagba New York, Jan. 12, 2026 (NAN) UN independent investigators on Monday called for immediate release of all political prisoners in Venezuela, stating that more than 100 political prisoners had been released in the country. The independent UN human rights investigators,, in a statement said, the governmentContinue Reading

FG Urges Contractors to Accelerate Work on Abuja–Lokoja Road to Meet Deadline

By: Lydia Beshel

On: January 13, 2026

In: General News

With: 0 Comments

Construction By Angela Atabi The Federal Government has urged contractors on the Abuja-Lokoja Road projects to accelerate their work and meet deadlines. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reconstruction of the 47-kilometre Kotonkarfe-Abaji (Abuja-bound) section by Messrs Trucrete Solutions Nigeria Ltd. stands at just 10.21 per cent completion.Continue Reading

Defence minister reaffirms commitment to stronger, self-reliant armed forces

By: isaac aregbesola

On: January 13, 2026

In: Defence/Security

With: 2 Comments

The Minister of Defence, retired Gen Christopher Musa, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building a capable, professional and resilient Armed Forces to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty and support national development.Continue Reading

U.S. revokes 100,000 visas in 1 year —State Department

By: Mark Longyen

On: January 12, 2026

In: Foreign

With: 0 Comments

By Mark Longyen Abuja, Jan. 12, 2026(NAN)The U.S. Government says it has revoked more than 100,000 visas within the past one year of President Donald Trump’s second term in office. This is contained in a statement posted by the U.S. State Department on its official X handle on Monday. ItContinue Reading

How PenCom is boosting pensioners’ welfare, restoring confidence through reforms

By: Abdulrahman Kadiri

On: January 12, 2026

In: General News

With: 1 Comment

By Nana Musa, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) For decades, retirement in Nigeria has often been associated with uncertainty, delayed payments and endless verification exercises that left many pensioners distressed. However, a wave of reforms driven by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) is steadily changing that narrative, improving the welfareContinue Reading

Defection: I never asked Muftwang to step down – Jonah Jang

By: Abdulrahman Kadiri

On: January 12, 2026

In: Politics

With: 0 Comments

By Vivian Emoni Former Governor of Plateau, Sen. Jonah Jang, has dismissed reports that he asked Gov. Caleb Mutfwang to step down, following his defection from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC). Jang dismissed the reports in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by the formerContinue Reading

Evaluating WASH Interventions’ impact in Bwari council

By: Funmilayo Adeyemi

On: January 12, 2026

In: Features

With: 0 Comments

Evaluating WASH Interventions’ impact in Bwari council A News Analysis by Veronica Dariya, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) For many residents of Bwari Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), access to clean water and decent sanitation has long been a daily struggle. Across several rural and peri-urban communities,Continue Reading

Oborevwori unveils ₦39.3bn Otovwodo Flyover project

By: Magdalene Ukuedojor

On: January 12, 2026

In: Metro

With: 0 Comments

By Edeki Igafe Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has unveiled construction of the ₦39.3 billion Otovwodo Flyover project in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state. Speaking on Monday at the groundbreaking ceremony, the governor said that the project would bring to an end, the protracted traffic congestion at theContinue Reading

Umahi inspects Sokoto–Badagry Highway, reaffirms commitment

By: Magdalene Ukuedojor

On: January 12, 2026

In: Metro

With: 0 Comments

By Lydia Chigozie-Ngwakwe The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, on Monday inspected Section-3 of the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to national connectivity. Umahi described the road as a strategic corridor to boost trade, transport and economic integration between northern and southern Nigeria. “This highway will unlockContinue Reading

AFCON 2025: Odegbami tips Super Eagles to scale Atlas mountains

By: Magdalene Ukuedojor

On: January 12, 2026

In: Sports

With: 0 Comments

By Victor Okoye Former Super Eagles Captain Segun Odegbami has expressed strong optimism ahead of Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 semi-final clash against hosts Morocco in Rabat. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles face hosts Morocco in a blockbuster AFCON 2025 on Wednesday at the 70,000-capacity PrinceContinue Reading

Follows Us

Venezuela: UN independent investigators seek immediate release of all political prisoners (Page 115)