By Michael Olugbode
Abuja
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised fresh concerns over worsening human rights conditions in Nigeria, revealing that it received a staggering 266,787 complaints nationwide in April 2026 amid rising insecurity, extra-judicial killings, economic hardship, communal violence, and growing threats to civic freedoms.
The figures was disclosed on Monday in Abuja by the Executive Secretary of the commission, Tony Ojukwu, during the presentation of the April 2026 Human Rights Situation Dashboard and the signing of an Advisory on Protecting Civic Space and Human Rights.
The development comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with escalating security challenges, increasing reports of civilian casualties during military operations, kidnappings, mob violence, gender-based abuse, and persistent allegations of misconduct by law enforcement agencies.
Addressing diplomats, civil society groups, government representatives, development partners, and media stakeholders at the event, Ojukwu said the scale of complaints received by the commission reflects the harsh realities confronting millions of Nigerians daily.
According to him, the complaints cut across issues of discrimination, abuse of authority, insecurity, economic deprivation, and lack of access to justice.
“These complaints reflect the everyday realities faced by Nigerians and underscore the persistence of challenges relating to discrimination, insecurity, abuse of authority, economic hardship, and access to justice,” he said.
Beyond formal complaints lodged at NHRC offices nationwide, Ojukwu noted that the commission’s Human Rights Observatory also tracked broader patterns of abuse and rights violations during the period under review.
He said April 2026 witnessed continued incidents of violent attacks, kidnappings, communal clashes, displacement, gender-based violence, mob actions, and alleged human rights violations linked to security operations.
Of particular concern, according to the NHRC boss, was the recent military airstrike incident in Borno State which reportedly resulted in civilian casualties.
Although, he did not specify the exact location of the incident, Ojukwu said the commission had already called for a “thorough, transparent, and independent investigation” in line with Nigeria’s constitutional and international human rights obligations.
The incident has triggered growing national debate over civilian protection during counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, where Nigerian security forces continue to battle insurgent groups and armed criminal networks.
“While recognizing the difficult security environment within which security agencies operate, the protection of civilian lives must remain paramount at all times,” Ojukwu stated.
“Respect for human rights and adherence to international humanitarian principles are essential components of effective security operations and democratic governance.”
The NHRC also expressed deep concern over what it described as a rising trend of extra-judicial killings allegedly involving law enforcement and security agencies.
According to Ojukwu, the commission’s observatory documented more than five cases of extra-judicial killings in April alone.
“Human life is sacred and cannot be taken away by trigger-happy officers of our law enforcement and security agencies,” he declared.
The commission, however, acknowledged recent steps taken by the Nigeria Police Force leadership, while calling for swift prosecution of implicated officers and compensation for affected families.
The presentation of the Human Rights Situation Dashboard formed part of the NHRC’s broader effort to institutionalise evidence-based monitoring and accountability since the initiative was introduced in 2024.
Analysts say the dashboard has increasingly become an important national accountability mechanism for identifying trends, monitoring rights abuses, and drawing attention to emerging threats across the country.
Alongside the dashboard presentation, the commission also signed an Advisory on Protecting Civic Space and Human Rights, a move stakeholders described as significant amid rising concerns over shrinking civic freedoms globally and within Nigeria.
Ojukwu warned that civic spaces around the world are coming under increasing pressure through restrictions on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, media operations, association, and citizen participation.
He explained that the advisory, developed through consultations with civil society groups and development partners, provides practical guidance for safeguarding constitutional freedoms and democratic participation.
“A vibrant civic space remains essential to democracy, accountability, peace-building, and national development,” he said.
The commission specifically acknowledged the contributions of the Nigerian Network of Non-Governmental Organizations and the Heinrich Böll Foundation in supporting the initiative.
Human rights observers say the NHRC’s latest report underscores growing concerns over the intersection of insecurity, economic pressures, weak law enforcement accountability, and democratic tensions in Nigeria.
Over the past decade, rights groups have repeatedly raised alarm over allegations of unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests, torture, restrictions on protests, and abuses linked to counter-terrorism operations.
The NHRC boss stressed that every complaint received by the commission represents a citizen seeking dignity, justice, and protection, insisting that the commission would continue to strengthen accountability mechanisms, expand access to justice, and deepen civic engagement through collaboration with stakeholders.
“We remain committed to strengthening accountability, expanding access to justice, deepening civic engagement, and advancing evidence-based human rights interventions,” Ojukwu said.
He called on government institutions, security agencies, civil society organisations, and development partners to intensify support for the protection of human dignity and democratic values across the country.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
