The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the protection of civilians to be made the central pillar of Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations, warning that continued neglect could worsen the country’s security challenges.
In a statement issued by its Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, the Commission expressed condolences to the Nigerian Armed Forces and to governments and residents of states severely affected by recent attacks, including Borno, Niger, Benue, Kaduna, Kwara, Sokoto, and Plateau.
The NHRC said it was “deeply concerned” about the rising frequency, coordination, and geographic spread of terrorist attacks, noting that both military installations and civilian locations—such as markets, places of worship, and public institutions—have been repeatedly targeted. It highlighted recent coordinated assaults on military bases in the North-East, particularly in Borno State, as well as suicide bombings in civilian areas including Maiduguri.
Ojukwu described the trend as a “grave and systematic assault” on fundamental rights, including the rights to life, dignity, and personal security, as guaranteed under Nigeria’s Constitution and international frameworks such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. He stressed that attacks on civilians and security personnel by non-state armed groups constitute serious breaches of international humanitarian law.
The Commission further warned that Nigeria is entering a more dangerous phase of insecurity, marked by coordinated military-style attacks, mass village raids, suicide bombings, and a widening spread of violence from the North-East into the North-West and North-Central regions.
While acknowledging the sacrifices of security forces, the NHRC identified what it termed a critical gap in the country’s security architecture. “The protection of civilians cannot remain incidental to security operations—it must be their central objective,” Ojukwu stated.
To address this, the Commission urged the Federal Government to urgently develop and implement a comprehensive national civilian protection policy. It said such a framework should embed human rights in all security responses, prioritise the prevention of harm in vulnerable communities, ensure accountability for violations by both state and non-state actors, and provide support for victims.
The proposed policy, the Commission added, must also enforce strict compliance with the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution in military operations, while strengthening early warning systems and community engagement in high-risk areas.
Ojukwu emphasised that civilians must not be treated as “collateral damage” but as rights-holders whose protection is non-negotiable, noting that a human rights-based approach to security is both a legal obligation and a strategic necessity.
The NHRC reaffirmed its solidarity with affected communities and security personnel, pledging continued collaboration with government authorities and civil society to ensure that counterterrorism efforts uphold democratic values and human rights.
