The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) recorded a total of 106, 604 complaints of human rights violations in the month of June.
This was made known on Monday by the Commission ‘ Executive Secretary , Dr Anthony Ojukwu, SAN at the presentation of the Commission ‘s 6th dashboard report on human rights violations.
He said that, the increase is disturbing though not unexpected in view of the circumstances of the situation in the country.
” Over the last six months, the dashboard has provided us with critical insights into the evolving human rights landscape in Nigeria.
” It has illuminated areas of progress and highlighted the challenges that still lie ahead.
” The dashboard has equally proven instrumental for the Commission’s programming.
” By identifying key trends and issues, we have been able to tailor our interventions to address pressing needs.
He noted that this has resulted in more impactful and sustainable outcomes for the communities we serve.
According to him, a major success for the dashboard is that it also serves as a good public enlightenment on human rights issues in Nigeria.
” Thanks to our media partners, the mandate of the commission and its complaints mechanisms have gained grounds across Nigeria with a steep increase in the number of complaints received in the months of May and June.
” For the month of June, we have received an unprecedented number of 106,604 complaints.
” This increase is disturbing but not unexpected.
” This positive development is a testament to the concerted efforts of all stakeholders involved.
” It underscores the impact of our targeted interventions and collaborative efforts in safeguarding the rights of our most vulnerable population.
” The sharp increase could also be directly attributed to:
The awareness on human rights raised across the country by our 36 states offices and the FCT.
” Renewed dissemination of the dashboard to the nooks and crannies of the country by our media and civil society partners.
” Our partnership with community, traditional and religious organisations to raise awareness on human rights and NHRC complaints mechanism.
” Over the last six months, we have continued to re-assess the outlook, contents and presentation of the dashboard to cover all aspects of human rights at thematic, sector and population-based levels.
” Today, we present to you a new and revamped dashboard featuring a new complaints divisions and disaggregation, incorporating the rights of vulnerable population such as women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities.
” We have also featured thematic issues such as access to justice, environment, sexual and gender-based violence amongst others.
” A disheartening trend we have observed this month is the increase in the level of mob justice and extra-judicial killings in many parts of the country.
“We also recorded attacks of Police stations in Ebonyi state and the FCT” he said.
He said the dashboard has revealed areas that require immediate attention. For instance, the emerging challenges in areas such as freedom of expression and targeted abductions.
” The defilement of minors still presents for us a worrisome situation. These insights are invaluable as they guide our priorities and strategies moving forward.
” We are presenting this June Dashboard at a time when Cholera is ravaging parts of the country with over 60 deaths recorded.
” We are also faced with the impact of flooding in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
” These incidents have huge implication for the enjoyment of human rights and I urge the federal and state authorities to be alive to their responsibilities to protect the right to life and human dignity.
“While acknowledging the efforts already made by stakeholders, we urge that securing the rights of citizens in these emergencies become the ultimate goal of every intervention.
” Today’s presentation will once again offer us a comprehensive overview of the current state of human rights in our country.
” It will also provide an in-depth analysis of the human rights situation in Nigeria over the past six months, highlighting key trends, progress and areas needing further attention” he said.
Similarly, giving the dashboard report, the Senior Human Rights Adviser to Executive Secretary, Mr. Hillary Ogbonna lamented on the increase.
According to him, the North Central still topped the table on the human rights violations with a record of 29, 462, closely followed by South South with 21, 603.
He added that, the South West recorded 18, 458, North West recorded 15, 101, North East, 12, 907, while South East recorded the lowest of 9, 164
” What we are going to do is not just show the figures but also cast our minds back where we have been, from January until now and make comparism of all the data we have gathered throughout the 36 states.
” The worst hit states in the Month of June are Katsina and Niger, these top the chart, In Katsina, there were four incidences of security challenges.
” The vulnerable are the worst hit, people that can not take care of themselves and in Niger, abduction also in Nassarawa state, people travelling to the East were attacked and abducted.
” Borno is back in terms of mass killings in two separate bomb attacks.
” Since after the elections we have not witness attacks on police stations as recorded in Ebonyi (two) and FCT (one).
” A record of violations from January to June , in January, a total of 1,147 complaints was recorded against 1,484 recorded in February, March recorded a total of 1580 complaints , April recorded 19,470 while May recorded 55, 218 and June 106, 604.