The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) disclosed disturbing statistics on Friday in Abuja, revealing a staggering total of 1,580 human rights violations across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria in March alone.
The violations spanned a range of atrocities, including killings, kidnappings, domestic violence, and breaches of children’s rights, among others.
Presenting the findings at the NHRC headquarters, senior human rights adviser Mr. Hilary Ogbonna highlighted the North Central region as the most affected, with 468 reported cases of human rights violations.
During the presentation, attended by NHRC Executive Secretary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Dr. Tony Ojukwu, Ogbonna emphasized that state actors such as the police, military, and Department of State Services (DSS) accounted for 94 cases of rights violations. He noted that this included incidents such as killings of military and police personnel in Delta State.
Additionally, the report outlined 542 cases of violations of children’s rights and 471 instances of domestic violence, which Ogbonna described as alarmingly prevalent in certain areas.
Non-state and private actors were responsible for 32 and 36 violations respectively, while three cases involved violations against disabled individuals.
The report further highlighted 157 cases related to social, economic, and cultural rights, with an additional 24 cases referred to the commission.
Of particular concern were the 499 cases of killings and kidnappings, along with 71 violations of the right to life recorded during the period.
Ogbonna stressed that these figures encompassed reports from all 36 state offices of the commission and Abuja, expressing deep concern over the escalating trend of human rights violations.
He cited specific incidents, including the abduction of 301 school children in Kaduna State and 40 deaths in Benue State, underscoring the urgent need for intervention.
Calling for restraint from both state and private actors, Ogbonna emphasized the importance of adhering to legal protocols and international laws in investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies.
In his welcome address, NHRC Executive Secretary Ojukwu reiterated the commission’s commitment to promoting and safeguarding human rights in Nigeria.
He pledged to collaborate with various stakeholders, including the government, to enhance efforts aimed at protecting lives and property while curbing human rights violations.
The NHRC’s monthly dashboard, aimed at shedding light on the human rights situation, receives support from organizations such as the United Nations Development Program and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.