NHRC receives over 326,000 human rights complaints in June

… calls for urgent action

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it received a total of 326,113 complaints of alleged human rights violations across Nigeria in June 2026, describing the figure as a reminder of the country’s persistent human rights challenges.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja during the presentation of the NHRC’s June 2026 human rights situation dashboard.

Ojukwu said the Commission’s headquarters and state offices continued to receive, analyse and monitor complaints while tracking incidents of human rights violations nationwide.

According to him, the monthly human rights situation dashboard has become an important accountability tool for identifying trends, emerging risks and areas requiring urgent intervention.

Beyond complaints received through the Commission’s reporting channels, Ojukwu said the NHRC’s human rights observatory recorded numerous incidents of rights violations during the month, with the right to life emerging as the most frequently violated right.

He also expressed concern over the continued pattern of armed violence and the prevalence of sexual violence against children, describing the sustained attacks and abuse as alarming, and called for coordinated interventions to address the situation.

Commenting on the constitutional amendment aimed at decentralising Nigeria’s policing structure, Ojukwu welcomed the move toward the establishment of state police, saying it could strengthen the protection of the rights to life and security.

He, however, cautioned that without adequate safeguards, training and professional oversight, the new policing structure could also present risks of human rights violations through political interference and abuse of authority.

He pledged that the NHRC would support the process through human rights education, monitoring, reporting and accountability initiatives.

The NHRC boss urged government institutions and security agencies to strengthen civilian protection measures, ensure accountability for violations, increase investment in child protection and school safety, and provide psychosocial support for victims and affected families.

Delivering a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Hashimu Argungu, represented by Victoria Orakwue Esq, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to sustained collaboration with the NHRC in promoting a policing system anchored on professionalism, integrity, accountability and respect for human rights.

Argungu described the monthly human rights situation dashboard as a significant milestone that demonstrates the NHRC’s commitment to transparency, accountability and evidence-based monitoring.

He said the dashboard would provide credible data to support policy formulation, institutional reforms and stronger collaboration among government institutions, civil society organisations, development partners and other stakeholders.

According to him, the Police Service Commission recognises the importance of reliable data and objective assessments in advancing human rights, strengthening democratic governance, improving public trust and promoting responsible governance in Nigeria.