By Atoyebi Nike
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) says it received 275,256 complaints of rights violations in May alone.
Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, made this known while presenting the Commission’s May dashboard report. He said the complaints cover attacks in the North East, sexual violence, and displacement due to natural disasters.
“When over a quarter of a million people reach out in one month, it shows how many Nigerians feel unprotected and ignored,” Ojukwu said.
He warned that many citizens no longer expect justice. “That is a dangerous place for any society,” he added.
Ojukwu cited recent floods in Mokwa, Niger State, where over 200 lives were lost. He said this shows how vulnerable displaced people are.
The NHRC also raised concerns about Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Many lack shelter, healthcare, and basic needs.
The Commission has launched a quarterly Human Rights and Displacement Dashboard with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). It tracks data on IDPs, refugees, returnees, and asylum seekers.
In February, March, and April, the NHRC recorded 40,000 new displacements and 1,460 complaints from displaced persons.
Ojukwu thanked the UN, civil society partners, and monitors in 34 local government areas across 11 states.
“Behind every complaint is a person hoping for justice,” he said. “Let this data push us to act.”
