The National Human Rights Commission said Nigeria’s human rights violation complaints increased to 261,483 in April 2025.
The executive secretary of NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, disclosed this on Friday.
He noted that killings and kidnappings were the most prevalent cases of human rights violations in April.
Ojukwu lamented the surge in human rights abuse following the attacks in Plateau and Benue states in April.
According to him, hundreds of Nigerians have lost their lives and other injured due to attacks across the country’s Middle Belt region.
He called on the federal government, states, and respective authorities to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of human rights cases in the Plateau, Benue and other States.
“In April 2025, there were 261,483 complaints. Why this number is significant: it represents only the visible portion of a much deeper situation.
“The killings in Plateau and Benue states, as well as the resurgence of Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks in Borno, have left hundreds of citizens injured and dead.
“The crisis in the middle belt is not new but has continued for decades without a solution.
“We call for independent, impartial, prompt investigation of all the cases stated.
“Support services for all victims. Accountability for all perpetrators, sustained investment in all peacebuilding.
“The commission stated that the right to life is non-negotiable.”;;
Similarly, NHRC stressed that human rights complaints increased by 20 percent on a month-on-month basis, with 35 percent prevalence in the middle belt region.
According to the agency, Benue, Plateau and Borno states have 60 percent of killings in Nigeria in April.
The commission completed 863 complaints and petitions of human rights violations in the period under review.
