NHRC says 106,604 human rights abuses were recorded in June

From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has revealed that a total of 106,604 cases of human rights abuses were reported in June alone.

The commission said the abuses included 1,667 cases of child abandonment and the killing of 19 security personnel during the period.

Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, disclosed this on Monday at the 6th edition of the Commission’s monthly human rights dashboard.

Ojukwu said the figure for human rights abuses in June was the highest in the past six months.

The NHRC attributed the increase to the circumstances of the situation in the country, calling it “disturbing but not unexpected.”

He urged state governors to prioritise the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights in their states. The Commission also plans to collaborate more with traditional rulers and civil society organisations to raise awareness and campaign against human rights abuses.

Ojukwu noted with regret the increase in extrajudicial killings, with Ebonyi and the Federal Capital Territory topping the list during the period.

Giving a breakdown of the reported 106,604 human rights abuses, Senior Human Rights Adviser to the NHRC Executive Secretary, Mr Hillary Ogbonna, explained that the situation in the country is concerning, and the increase in rights abuses calls for more action.

In his breakdown, Ogbonna said the North Central region recorded the highest number of abuses with 29,462, followed closely by the South-South with 21,603.

The South West recorded 18,458, the North West 15,101, the North East 12,907, while the South East recorded the lowest number of reported cases with 9,164.

On extrajudicial killings, Ogbonna expressed regret that killings for blasphemy were recorded in Bauchi, infidelity in Ondo, and the stabbing of a wife’s lover in Ogun. The recorded killings in Edo were related to cultism.

He reported three attacks on police stations, one in the FCT and two in Ebonyi. He appealed to Nigerians to stop attacking security operatives.

He also reminded the public that mob actions and jungle justice are against Nigerian laws and should be stopped.

Regarding bomb-related incidents, Ogbonna said Borno topped the list with two twin bomb explosions at wedding ceremonies, resulting in casualties. Kaduna, Benue, Katsina, and Plateau also experienced terrorism-related killings in June.

The human rights expert expressed concern about the high level of violation of the fundamental rights of women and children in the country.

Responding to a question about the 1,667 abandoned children, the NHRC boss blamed the trend on the economic situation but emphasised that economic hardship should not be a reason for abandoning innocent children.

Ojukwu said the Commission is partnering with stakeholders to provide shelter for abandoned children while efforts are made to locate their parents.