By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) ‘- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s human rights situation, warning that the right to life remained the most violated human right across the country in June 2026 amid persistent armed violence, kidnappings and other security challenges.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the presentation of the June 2026 Human Rights Situation Dashboard, an accountability tool that monitors and documents human rights violations across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to Ojukwu, the Commission received 326,113 complaints in June, describing the figure as a reflection of the magnitude of human rights challenges confronting the country.
He explained that beyond complaints formally lodged with the Commission, the NHRC’s Human Rights Observatory also documented incidents of rights violations through systematic monitoring and analysis across the country.
“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,” he said.
Ojukwu noted that the right to life remained the most frequently violated right during the period under review, with armed violence continuing to account for a significant proportion of reported abuses.
He also expressed concern over persistent cases of sexual violence against children, describing the trend as alarming and calling for urgent intervention by relevant government institutions, security agencies and child protection agencies.
According to him, the continued abuse of minors requires coordinated action to protect vulnerable children, strengthen school safety and provide psychosocial support for victims and affected families.
The NHRC boss also highlighted recent international attention on Nigeria’s human rights situation following the official visit of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Professor Nazila Ghanea.
He said the UN envoy visited Nigeria from June 8 to June 19, during which she held engagements in Abuja, Plateau and Kano states with government officials, religious leaders, civil society organisations and victims of human rights abuses.
According to Ojukwu, the Special Rapporteur observed that insecurity, mass displacement, kidnappings and attacks on communities continue to undermine fundamental rights while deepening religious tensions in parts of the country.
He added that the NHRC remains committed to constructive engagement with United Nations human rights mechanisms and expressed optimism that the Special Rapporteur’s final report, expected before the UN Human Rights Council in March 2027, would further support efforts to improve Nigeria’s human rights record.
The Executive Secretary also welcomed recent constitutional reforms aimed at decentralising Nigeria’s policing structure, describing state policing as a significant step toward improving security and strengthening the protection of human rights.
He commended both the Federal and State Governments for advancing the reform, while reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to promoting human rights education, monitoring, reporting and accountability.
Ojukwu further recalled the first anniversary of the Yelwata massacre in Benue State, where more than 100 people were reportedly killed in a single night.
He lamented that many survivors remain displaced and continue to live under difficult humanitarian conditions with inadequate access to food, clean water and healthcare.
The Commission, he said, joins growing calls for justice for the victims of Yelwata and other communities affected by violence, urging security agencies to strengthen civilian protection and ensure perpetrators of human rights violations are brought to justice.
He also commended civil society organisations, humanitarian agencies, development partners and the media for their continued role in documenting abuses, supporting affected communities and promoting accountability.
In a goodwill message, Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd.), represented by Assistant Director of Legal Services, Dame Victoria N.A. Onyekwuluje Orakwue, described the Human Rights Situation Dashboard as a landmark initiative that would strengthen transparency, accountability and evidence-based decision-making.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to continued collaboration with the NHRC in promoting professionalism, accountability, the rule of law and respect for the rights and dignity of every Nigerian, expressing confidence that the dashboard would contribute significantly to the advancement of human rights across the country.
