The National Human Rights Commission (National Human Rights Commission) has raised concerns over escalating insecurity, extra-judicial killings, and shrinking civic freedoms in Nigeria, warning of deepening threats to human rights protection and accountability in the country.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, disclosed this during the presentation of the April 2026 Human Rights Situation Dashboard and the signing of an Advisory on the Protection of Civic Space and Human Rights.
He said the Commission recorded 266,787 complaints across its offices nationwide in April 2026, reflecting widespread challenges faced by citizens, including discrimination, insecurity, abuse of authority, economic hardship, and limited access to justice.
Ojukwu further noted that the NHRC Observatory documented numerous cases of violent attacks, kidnappings, communal clashes, forced displacement, gender-based violence, and alleged abuses linked to law enforcement operations during the period under review.
He also expressed concern over a recent airstrike incident in Borno State that reportedly led to civilian casualties, calling for an independent and transparent investigation in line with national and international human rights standards.
The NHRC boss condemned the rise in extra-judicial killings by security agencies, disclosing that more than five such cases were recorded in April alone. He stressed that human life must be protected and urged swift prosecution of perpetrators, as well as compensation for victims’ families.
On the Advisory for promoting and protecting civic space and human rights, Ojukwu described the initiative as timely, noting increasing global pressure on freedoms such as expression, peaceful assembly, association, and media independence. He said the document, developed through broad consultations, would provide practical guidance for strengthening civic participation and democratic governance.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Network of NGOs (Nigerian Network of NGOs), Oyebisi Oluseyi, said the Commission had worked closely with civil society groups to ensure the advisory becomes a practical tool for all stakeholders, regardless of background or gender, urging widespread adoption.
