Complaints of human rights violations in Nigeria rise by 25% in February

Complaints of human rights violations in Nigeria rose by 25 percent in February 2025, the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, announced on Wednesday.

NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr Tony Ojukwu, at the presentation of the February 2025 human rights dashboard in Abuja, said 205,364 complaints of rights violation were received by the Commission in the month. In January 2025, the NHRC recorded 169,850 complaints of rights violation.

The NHRC Human Rights Dashboard provides a breakdown of the human rights situation in the country. The dashboard is presented on a monthly basis.

Noting that Nigeria is experiencing a disturbing trend whereby human rights complaints received by the NHRC has continued to rise, Ojukwu said the February dashboard highlighted mass killings and abductions in the North-West and North-Central, cult related killings, inter and intra communal violence, extra judicial killings by the police and the Armed Forces, resurgence of Boko Haram related attacks and increase in rape cases.

A total of 341 complaints relating to rape were recorded in February 2025. There were also 136 cases of sexual violence. In the same vein, the Commission received 6,954 complaints of domestic violence in the month.

Child abandonment spiked in February 2025, with about 1400 cases recorded.

One hundred and ninety-one killings were recorded in the month, including 45 deaths from communal clashes. One hundred and forty-four abductions were also reported.

A total of 121 deaths in vehicle related accidents were reported in the month under consideration.

Highlighting human rights issues in focus in February 2025, the NHRC raised the alarm over a rise in suicide cases, and attacks on academic communities, in addition to regular topics such as cultism, extra-judicial killings, and deaths by accident.

As some state governments struggle with insecurity and crime in their domains, the Commission expressed concern that some legislations and policies introduced to address the challenges pose threats to citizens’ human rights.

NHRC executive secretary Ojukwu said, “February also witnessed the enactment of several laws with significant human rights implications. Among them, we saw the Edo State Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law 2025, the Anambra Homeland Security Law 2025, and the Edo State Kidnapping Prohibition Law 2025. These laws promote severe penalties, including the death penalty, for individuals involved in cultism, kidnapping, particularly those linked to ritualistic activities.

“While we understand the sentiments and the need for strong measures against such heinous acts, it is crucial to ensure that the rights of the accused are upheld, and that justice is administered in a manner consistent with international human rights standards.

“Additionally, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) proposed death penalty on counterfeit drugs continues to raise concerns regarding the balance between punishment and human rights.”

Ojukwu also spoke of the need to effectively address the disturbing issue of child abandonment, a problem which is tied to the severe economic hardship in the country.

He said a Child Safeguarding Policy has been established by the NHRC to help address the problem.

“The disturbing trend of child abandonment remains largely unaddressed with an upsurge in reported cases to our offices. In a bid to support our work as frontline human rights defenders in dealing with issues of women and children, the NHRC has approved a Child Safeguarding Policy.

“The Policy is aimed at protection of children and young persons who use the services of the NHRC from harm and ensure they are treated with dignity and their human rights protected,” Ojukwu said.

With security agencies continuing to be the subjects of majority of rights violation complaints, the NHRC boss insisted on the need for accountability in law enforcement.

He said, “This month, we have received a total of 205,364 complaints, underscoring the ongoing challenges we face in securing human rights for all Nigerians. Notably, violations involving state actors continue to top the list, which remains a grave concern.

“Despite our collective efforts, there are still instances where those entrusted with enforcing the law end up being perpetrators of violations themselves.

“This reality calls for a renewed emphasis on accountability, particularly within law enforcement agencies. The use of power must always align with human rights standards, and any abuses must be swiftly addressed.”