By Core Reporters
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised the alarm over the rapid increase of human rights violation cases in the Nigeria.
Consequently, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu (SAN) has called on governors of the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), to rise up to the challenge of protecting the fundamental human rights of citizens in their respective states.
Ojukwu, made the call on Monday in Abuja during the 6th edition of the Commission’s dashboard on the state of human rights in Nigeria.
Dr. Ojukwu who disclosed that a total of 106,604 cases of human rights abuses were recorded in June alone, across the Federation, said the cases included 1,667 reports of abandoned children and the killing of 19 security personnel during this period.
He stated that the figure for human rights abuses in June was the highest recorded in the past six months.
Ojukwu described the increase as disturbing but not unexpected, given the economic situation in the country.
He also announced that the Commission would increase collaboration with traditional rulers and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to intensify campaigns against human rights violations and expressed regret over the rise in extrajudicial killings.
Highlighting Ebonyi and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as topping the list during this period, Dr. Ojukwu emphasized the Commission’s concern about reported cases of defilement of minors in June.
Providing a breakdown of the reported 106,604 human rights abuses, Mr. Hillary Ogbona, Senior Human Rights Adviser to the NHRC boss, emphasized the urgency for action in addressing these violations amid challenging national circumstances.
Ogbona detailed that the North Central region recorded the highest number with 29,462 cases, followed closely by the South South with 21,603. The South West recorded 18,458 cases, the North West 15,101, the North East 12,907, and the South East the lowest with 9,164 reported cases of human rights violations.
Regarding extrajudicial killings, Ogbona expressed concern over incidents such as killings for blasphemy in Bauchi, infidelity-related killings in Ondo State, and a fatal stabbing related to cultism in Ogun State. He noted attacks on police stations, with the FCT recording one incident and Ebonyi State two, urging Nigerians to refrain from attacking security operatives.
