...Say it recorded 27% increase in cases of human rights infractions compared to previous months
...427,606 complaints in October-Ojukwu
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday at an event held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja released the month of October Human Rights Situation Dashboard announcing that the Commission received 427,606 complaints in the month of October signifying a 27% increase from the previous month.
Giving his opening remarks at the event , the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN) said the 27% spike in the number of complaints signals an undeniable pattern of systemic human rights violations across the country.
Adding that one of the most notable trends in the month of October is the widespread abuse of freedom which emerged as the most frequently reported human rights violation.
He noted also that this disturbing trend speaks to the deep-rooted inequalities and prejudices that continue to plague our society.
In his words: “We must confront other ongoing and emerging issues with the same urgency. The recent arraignment of minors in connection with the ENDBADGOVERNANCE protests has brought to light serious concerns about the criminalization of voices of dissent and the repression of human rights defenders in Nigeria.
“These actions are not isolated incidents; they are part of a broader pattern of shrinking civic space and increasing state repression against those who dare to challenge the status quo.
”He continues, “The minors’ arrests, particularly, underscore the vulnerability of young people in the context of a fragile democracy, and the critical need to ensure their rights are protected. It also questions the fearless participation of citizens in national development.
“In a positive development, just yesterday (Wednesday) we facilitated a Civil Society Consultation on the State of Human Rights, in partnership with the European Union Delegation to Nigeria. During this consultation, we inaugurated a Human Rights Defenders Forum which will serve as a platform for dialogue, support, and collaboration.
“Today we are continuing in the process of creating effective human rights mechanisms by inaugurating the Working Group on Human Rights and Civic Space.
“This working group will strengthen our engagement with civil society leaders to amplify voices to protect civic space. It is a genuine recognition of the role of civil society as a critical sector for the consolidation of our democracy.
The dashboard, he said has not only provided a clear-eyed view of the challenges we face but it has also highlighted the invaluable role of civil society, the media and other stakeholders in holding power to account.
The increase in the number of complaints received each month, along with the continued engagement of diverse groups, signals a growing recognition that human rights are not negotiable. It also demonstrates the power of informed action.
Presenting the details of the October Human Rights Dashboard, the senior human right adviser to the Executive Secretary Barrister Hilary Ogbonna highlighted details of various human rights infractions record in the month under review across the various geo-political zones noting that the North-West recorded the highest number of kidnapping/abduction particularly Zamfara State which recorded a significant increase in mass abduction and killings.
The North- central was second to the North -West followed by the North-East. The South-South geo-political region recorded the least number of kidnapping/abduction in the month of October from the report.
According to Ogbonna, Anambra State recorded twenty cult related killings in the South-East political zone.
From the North-West zone, Ogbonna stated that Jigawa reported 167 deaths as a result of oil tanker explosion while Sokoto reported the emergence of a new terror group called Lakurawa.
Admonishing the government on how to stem the cases of human rights abuses and preventable deaths across the length and breath of the country, the Executive Secretary, Dr Tony Ojukwu SAN said the solution is not just to acknowledge these issues but to take decisive actions to dismantle barriers militating against rights of individuals and also ensure equal treatment for all Nigerians regardless of background, ethnicity, religion, or status, citing the recent arrest and arraignment of minors arrested during the last #Endbadgovernance protests across the country.
The Human Rights Situation Dashboard is a monthly report of the National Human Rights Commission NHRC to monitor cases of human rights abuses and infractions across the country.
