Nigerian Journalist Wins Int’l Human Rights Award for Exposé on Rijana Kidnap Camps

By Emmanuel Kwada

Nigerian investigative journalist, Mike Odeh James, has emerged as the winner of the inaugural HART Prize for Human Rights 2026 Journalism Award following his groundbreaking investigation titled “Nigeria’s Hidden Gulag: Inside the Rijana Camps.”

The award was announced on Wednesday by the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust in London, recognizing frontline journalists whose reporting sheds light on human rights crises often overlooked by mainstream media.

James secured first place for his investigation published by TruthNigeria, which exposed alleged mass kidnapping networks operating from Rijana Forest in Kaduna State. The report documented harrowing accounts from survivors who described prolonged captivity, starvation, violence, ransom demands, and the lasting trauma suffered by victims and their families.

According to HART, the published investigation protected the identities of survivors by changing their names to safeguard their anonymity and security.

Former BBC Lagos Correspondent, Caroline Duffield, praised the investigation, describing it as a significant contribution to public understanding of Nigeria’s security challenges.

“Mike’s report places significant new information into the public domain. That this many camps exist as far south as Southern Kaduna in 2026 shifts our understanding of Nigeria’s security picture,” Duffield said.

The investigation highlights allegations of extensive kidnapping operations in and around Rijana Forest, where victims reportedly endured months of captivity under harsh conditions while their families struggled to secure their release.

The HART Prize panel also awarded second place to journalist Mary Kiara for her report, “Father’s Agony as Nigeria Denies Airstrike Killed Civilians,” which examined alleged civilian casualties linked to a military airstrike in Niger State and broader concerns surrounding accountability in aerial military operations.

A special commendation was presented to Lawrence Zongo for his reporting on conflict narratives and identity issues affecting communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, including the experiences of Fulani Christian communities.

Commenting on the importance of the winning investigation, David Alton stressed the need for greater protection of civilians and accountability for human rights violations.

“The testimonies documented in this report underline the urgent need for protection of civilians and accountability for grave abuses. Where entire communities live under the shadow of abduction and violence, silence is not an option,” he stated.

The HART Prize for Human Rights was established to honour courageous journalism that brings attention to human rights abuses, humanitarian crises, and the plight of vulnerable communities. Organisers said the award seeks to encourage evidence-based reporting and amplify voices from regions affected by conflict and insecurity.

The recognition of James’ investigation comes amid growing international concern over insecurity, mass abductions, and humanitarian challenges facing several communities across northern Nigeria.