The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised fresh concerns over the worsening human rights situation in Nigeria, revealing that it received 326,113 complaints of alleged human rights violations in June 2026 amid rising killings, child sexual abuse, kidnappings and mass displacement across the country.
Presenting the Commission’s June 2026 Human Rights Situation Dashboard in Abuja on Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, said the staggering number of complaints underscores the urgent need for stronger government action to protect the rights and lives of Nigerians.
He disclosed that beyond the complaints received through the Commission’s nationwide offices, the NHRC’s Human Rights Observatory also documented widespread incidents of human rights violations during the month, with the right to life emerging as the most violated right.
According to him, armed violence remained the dominant pattern of abuse across the country, while the Observatory also recorded several cases of sexual violence against children, describing the trend as deeply disturbing.
“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.
“Our Human Rights Observatory equally recorded numerous incidents of violations. The right to life remained the most frequently violated right, while armed violence continued to dominate. We are equally alarmed by the number of cases involving sexual violence against minors. This sustained pattern of violence demands urgent and coordinated intervention,” he said.
Ojukwu also drew attention to the findings of the recent 12-day fact-finding mission to Nigeria by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Professor Nazila Ghanea, who visited Abuja, Plateau and Kano states.
He said the UN envoy observed that persistent violence, kidnappings, attacks on communities and mass displacement were undermining fundamental human rights and worsening religious tensions across the country.
According to him, insecurity dominated virtually every engagement held by the UN delegation with government officials, religious leaders, civil society organisations and victims.
The NHRC boss welcomed the recent constitutional amendment paving the way for the decentralisation of Nigeria’s policing structure through the establishment of state police, describing it as a significant step towards improving security and protecting citizens’ rights.
However, he cautioned that state policing must be implemented with strong safeguards to prevent political interference and possible human rights abuses arising from inadequate training and weak accountability mechanisms.
He pledged that the Commission would support both the federal and state governments through human rights education, monitoring and accountability mechanisms to ensure that the new policing framework complies with international human rights standards.
The Commission also reflected on the first anniversary of the Yelewata massacre in Benue State, where more than 100 people were killed in a single night, lamenting that many survivors remain displaced and continue to live under harsh humanitarian conditions.
Ojukwu called for justice for the victims and urged authorities to ensure accountability for perpetrators of attacks across affected communities nationwide.
He further urged security agencies to strengthen civilian protection measures, while calling for increased investment in child protection, school safety and psychosocial support for victims of violence.
The NHRC also commended civil society organisations, humanitarian agencies, development partners and the media for their continued efforts in documenting abuses, supporting victims and promoting accountability across the country.
He stressed that protecting human rights remains a shared national responsibility, insisting that every Nigerian deserves to live in dignity, freedom and equality regardless of status or location.
