ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – In a powerful presentation of the April 2025 Human Rights Situation Dashboard, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), painted a grim picture of the human rights landscape in the country. The report reveals a troubling surge in complaints and violations, signaling a deepening crisis that demands immediate and collective action.
The NHRC received a staggering 261,483 complaints in April 2025, a figure that underscores the severity of the ongoing human rights violations. However, Ojukwu emphasized that these numbers represent only the visible portion of a much larger crisis, one that is deeply entrenched in Nigeria’s conflict-affected regions, particularly in Plateau, Benue, and Borno States.
The situation, according to the report, has reached its worst point in nearly a year, with widespread violence, forced displacements, and killings. In Plateau and Benue states, attacks have led to the death and injury of hundreds of citizens, while the resurgence of Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks in Borno state continues to fuel insecurity.
In a scathing critique, Ojukwu highlighted that Nigeria’s constitutional commitment to protecting citizens’ security and welfare has been increasingly violated. He referenced Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, which mandates that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” a principle that is being disregarded amid growing unrest.
The crisis in the Middle Belt, which has plagued Nigeria for decades, continues to escalate, with atrocities becoming disturbingly routine. Ojukwu called for the nation to reject the normalization of violence, stressing that the ongoing bloodshed, particularly against innocent civilians, cannot be treated as business as usual.
“Silence in the face of injustice is complicity,” Ojukwu declared. He urged all levels of government, including the Nigerian Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies, to prioritize the protection of citizens’ lives as a fundamental obligation.
The NHRC reiterated its commitment to ensuring accountability and justice for the victims of these atrocities. The Commission called for independent and impartial investigations into all reported killings and displacements, comprehensive support for survivors—especially women and children—and a concerted push for peace-building and community reconciliation.
In a final call to action, Ojukwu stressed that the right to life and dignity is non-negotiable and that the state must fulfill its responsibility to safeguard these rights. He reminded Nigerians that human rights are not simply numbers or statistics but reflect the nation’s commitment to human dignity, justice, and equality.
“The time has come to confront these challenges with courage and conviction, recognizing that every Nigerian life matters,” Ojukwu concluded.
