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“NHRC Receives 326,113 Rights Violation Complaints In June” — Says Right To Life Most Violated, Warns State Police Needs Safeguards

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has disclosed that it received 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 also tracking incidents of human rights violations across the country.

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

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

He expressed concern over the continued pattern of armed violence across the country and the prevalence of sexual violence against children, describing the sustained attacks and abuse as alarming.

The NHRC boss called for coordinated interventions by government institutions, security agencies and other stakeholders to address the situation.

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

He, however, warned that without adequate safeguards, training and professional oversight, state police could also create fresh risks of human rights violations through political interference and abuse of authority.

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

He 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 major milestone demonstrating 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.