National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday, expressed its worry over the alarming increase of kidnappings, killings and child abandonment in the country.
Mr. Hillary Ogbona, the Senior Human Rights Adviser to the Executive Secretary of the Commission presented the data at a civil society consultation on human rights, organised by the NHRC with support from the European Union in Abuja.
The event, which also marked the inauguration of the Human Rights Defenders Forum, underscored the urgent need for systemic reforms to protect Nigeria’s vulnerable populations.
The data released by the Commission, revealed an unrelenting wave of violent crimes and rights violations across the country
In January 2024 alone, the data showed that Nigeria recorded 150 kidnappings and 55 killings, alongside 15 cases of hate speeches adding that, February brought a surge, with 215 kidnappings, 106 killings, and 550 cases of child abandonment.
“By March, the numbers reached unprecedented levels, with 499 kidnappings, 172 murders, and 323 abandoned children. The crisis worsened as the months progressed. By July, 3,300 children had been abandoned, while 37 law enforcement officers lost their lives”, Ogbona stated.
September data also showed 113 kidnappings, 141 murders, and 2,723 child abandonment cases—all pointing to a dire security and rights situation nationwide.
Earlier in his speech, NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu said, the protection of human rights is an ongoing struggle that requires continuous vigilance, action, and cooperation from all sectors of society.
Ojukwu said, The EU’s unwavering commitment to promoting human rights and supporting civil society efforts across the globe is commendable, adding that, the issues to be discussed at the forum centers on the right to electoral participation and democratic consolidation, the protection of civil liberties, civic space and human rights defenders, and the pressing issue of digital rights and privacy protection.
These issues, according to him, are not merely theoretical—they are practical challenges that impact on lives and the future of Nigeria as a democratic state.
He said, the inauguration of the Human Rights Defenders Forum underscores the importance of creating a unified platform for those who work at the frontlines of human rights protection and that, the forum will serve as a space for defenders to share experiences, exchange ideas, and strategize on how to address the myriad challenges they face.
“It is crucial that we stand together to provide human rights defenders with the necessary support and ensure their safety at the frontlines. Together, we will forge a path towards a future where human rights are not merely aspirational ideals but are realized in the everyday lives of all people in Nigeria”, he said.
The NHRC boss said, the End bad governance protests in August, the arraignment of minors recently witnessed in Abuja and the presentation of the report of the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter-Insurgency Operations in the North East illustrate Nigeria’s deteriorating human rights environment.
He said, “The statistics reflect an undeniable crisis in public safety and human rights in Nigeria”, stressing the urgent need for decisive action to protect citizens, especially the most vulnerable, from a worsening wave of violence and neglect.
Representatives from the European Union present at the event reiterated their commitment to supporting Nigeria in overcoming the challenges of human rights violations in the country.
Discussions at the event covered key issues such as digital rights, protection of civil liberties, and support for human rights defenders—all deemed vital for consolidating democracy in Nigeria.
As the forum concluded, Dr. Ojukwu urged civil society groups and government officials to treat the data as a call to action, warning that without immediate, collaborative intervention, Nigeria’s human rights situation would continue to deteriorate.
