The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has revealed that more than 3.7 million complaints of human rights violations were recorded across Nigeria in 2025, reflecting the scale of insecurity, social dislocation and institutional weaknesses in the country.
The disclosure was made on Tuesday during the presentation of the Commission’s monthly human rights dashboard, where the Executive Secretary, Dr Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, described the figures as alarming and called for collective action to curb rising violations nationwide.
According to Ojukwu, the NHRC dashboard is designed not only as a reporting tool but also as a preventive mechanism, helping authorities and stakeholders to identify trends and respond early. He traced the root causes of the violations to inequality, unemployment, weak institutions and systemic injustice.
Despite the grim statistics, the NHRC boss said hope remained as the Commission looks to 2026 with plans to strengthen early warning systems, promote rights-compliant security operations and expand access to justice for women, children and other vulnerable groups. He added that technology would play a key role in improving monitoring and evaluation.
“Data alone does not change lives; action does,” Ojukwu said, urging stakeholders, including the diplomatic community, media and government agencies, to deepen collaboration with the Commission.
Speaking with journalists at the event, Ojukwu also condemned the sit-at-home order enforced on Mondays in parts of the South-East by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), describing it as a violation of citizens’ rights.
“No one has the right to restrict the movement of others or prevent them from engaging in lawful commercial activities,” he said, stressing that individuals who choose to observe sit-at-home should not compel others to do so.
He made the remarks in response to questions linked to Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s warning that shops of traders who close on Mondays in compliance with the IPOB directive could be shut. Ojukwu noted that the sit-at-home order had paralysed economic, educational, social and cultural life in the region, where trade and commerce are central to livelihoods.
Earlier, the Senior Human Rights Adviser to the Executive Secretary, Mr Hilary Ogbonna, presented highlights of the December 2025 dashboard and the 2026 human rights outlook. He said total complaints recorded by the NHRC had risen to 3,724,822 across the Commission’s 36 state offices, its headquarters and the Abuja Metropolitan Office.
The data, he said, reflected widespread violations, including destroyed livelihoods, forced evictions, denial of education, failing healthcare services, escalating gender-based violence, child rights abuses, banditry and insurgency.
Ogbonna disclosed that December 2025 was particularly severe, with 670 cases of child abandonment recorded. The NHRC Observatory also documented 246 killings during the month, including 149 attributed to bandits, 29 to Boko Haram and ISWAP, 44 to unknown gunmen, and others linked to general insecurity.
He noted, however, that the Commission resolved 52,489 complaints within the period, describing it as a modest but significant step toward justice for victims.
Ogbonna called for the adoption of a National Policy for the Protection of Civilians in Conflict, urging the government to commit to safeguarding all citizens, especially children, students, women, the elderly and other vulnerable groups.
Looking ahead to 2026, he warned that persistent insecurity, banditry and communal clashes would continue to pose risks, recommending stronger community policing, improved local security architecture, early warning systems, protection of religious freedom, electoral reforms and enhanced political inclusion.
In a show of international support, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator’s Representative, Ajuwa Kufour, commended the NHRC, describing the dashboard as a reflection of Nigeria’s realities and a guide for improved human rights protection. She assured the Commission of continued UN support.
Also speaking, a representative of the Police Service Commission, Mr Babatunde Baba, highlighted ongoing collaboration with the NHRC, noting that police officers found guilty of human rights violations are sanctioned in line with the law.
