By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s deteriorating human rights situation after receiving 326,113 complaints in June 2026, saying the figure reflects the growing challenges confronting citizens amid persistent insecurity and rights abuses.
The Commission warned that the right to life remained the most violated right during the month under review, with armed violence continuing to claim lives across different parts of the country.
Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the presentation of the June 2026 Human Rights Situation Dashboard, a monthly report that tracks human rights violations and complaints across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, the volume of complaints received within one month paints a troubling picture of the country’s human rights landscape and reinforces the need for stronger protection of citizens.
“The Commission received a total of 326,113 complaints in June 2026. This figure underscores the ongoing and urgent challenge of securing human rights for all Nigerians,” Ojukwu said.
He explained that, in addition to complaints formally submitted to the Commission, the NHRC’s Human Rights Observatory continued to document violations through nationwide monitoring and incident tracking.
The report identified the right to life as the most frequently violated right in June, with armed violence remaining the dominant pattern behind many of the recorded cases.
Ojukwu also expressed deep concern over the continued sexual abuse of children, describing the trend as one of the most disturbing findings of the June dashboard.
According to him, the Observatory documented several incidents of sexual violence against minors, a development he said demands urgent and coordinated intervention by government institutions, security agencies and child protection stakeholders.
He warned that without decisive action, vulnerable children would remain exposed to abuse while communities continue to grapple with the devastating consequences of insecurity.
The NHRC boss also drew attention to the recent visit of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Professor Nazila Ghanea, who undertook a 12-day official mission to Nigeria from June 8 to June 19.
During the visit, the UN envoy met government officials, religious leaders, civil society organisations and victims in Abuja, Plateau and Kano states.
According to Ojukwu, the Special Rapporteur observed that persistent insecurity, kidnappings, attacks on communities and mass displacement continue to undermine fundamental human rights while worsening religious tensions across the country.
He said the Commission remains committed to engaging with international human rights mechanisms and expressed optimism that the Rapporteur’s final report, expected before the United Nations Human Rights Council in March 2027, would support ongoing reforms.
Ojukwu also welcomed the constitutional amendment aimed at decentralising Nigeria’s policing system, describing state policing as a major step towards improving security and strengthening the protection of human rights.
He further reflected on the first anniversary of the Yelwata massacre in Benue State, where more than 100 people were killed in a single night, lamenting that many survivors are still living in displacement camps with limited access to food, clean water and healthcare.
He called for justice for the victims and urged security agencies to strengthen civilian protection measures while ensuring perpetrators of human rights violations are brought to justice.
The NHRC also appealed for greater investment in child protection, school safety and psychosocial support for victims and their families.
Ojukwu commended civil society organisations, humanitarian agencies, development partners and the media for sustaining advocacy, documenting abuses and supporting vulnerable communities across the country.
In a goodwill message, Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd.), represented by Dame Victoria N.A. Onyekwuluje Orakwue, described the Human Rights Situation Dashboard as an important accountability tool that would strengthen transparency, institutional reforms and evidence-based policymaking.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to collaborating with the NHRC in promoting professionalism, accountability, the rule of law and respect for the rights and dignity of every Nigerian.
