The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) announced on Tuesday that it received 384,196 reports of human rights violations across Nigeria in October, reflecting a 13.4% rise from the 338,810 cases recorded in September.
The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, shared these findings during a dashboard presentation at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. Among the complaints, incidents regarding violations of freedom from discrimination accounted for the highest number, totaling 217,243; notably, 180,000 of these cases originated from Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.
Ojukwu emphasized that each complaint represents an individual or community whose rights are at risk and highlighted the NHRC’s commitment not only to document these complaints but also to pursue effective interventions and remedies. He noted the grave implications of displacement on the dignity and basic rights of affected individuals.
Concerns were also raised about the precarious conditions faced by many IDPs who have fled their homes due to terrorist attacks and banditry. The report detailed a broader range of human rights issues, including insecurity, armed attacks, killings, and kidnappings, particularly affecting agricultural communities and traditional leaders in states such as Taraba, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, and Plateau.
Ojukwu pointed out that incidents of violence extend beyond mere security threats and carry severe humanitarian implications, disrupting livelihoods and affecting individuals’ rights to life, liberty, and respect.
As the 2027 elections approach, Ojukwu urged political figures to act in compliance with electoral laws, reminding them that the electoral process intertwines with various human rights considerations.
The NHRC’s Senior Human Rights Adviser, Hilary Ogbonna, reported that the total number of human rights complaints in 2026 has surpassed 2.5 million. Complaints were particularly clustered in ten states, which accounted for 52% of October’s total — with Lagos and Rivers entering the top ten for the first time due to escalating tensions surrounding the upcoming elections.
Additionally, the NHRC recorded concerning trends in family-related complaints in October, including 632 cases of women being denied access to their children, 591 instances of abandonment, 339 reports of trafficking, and 376 forced marriages. Ogbonna noted a striking increase in reported child abandonment cases, which rose by over 250% to 2,479.
Overall, the NHRC resolved 1,455 cases in October and evaluated numerous detention facilities and military locations throughout the month, taking steps to engage with law enforcement in addressing these issues.
