NHRC: Over 275k human rights violation complaints received in May

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) says it received 275,256 complaints of human rights violations across the country in May.

Tony Ojukwu, executive secretary of the NHRC, spoke on Monday while presenting the commission’s May dashboard report.

Ojukwu said the complaints cut across brutal attacks in the north-east, rising cases of sexual violence, and mass displacement caused by natural disasters.

“When over a quarter of a million people turn to the National Human Rights Commission in just one month, the message is loud and clear: too many Nigerians feel unprotected, unheard, and unseen,” he said.

“What is most worrying is the normalisation of this distress where many no longer expect redress or accountability. This is a dangerous place for any society to find itself.”

Ojukwu cited the recent floods in Mokwa, Niger state, as a tragic reminder of the vulnerability of displaced populations, where over 200 lives were lost and many are still missing.

He noted that Nigeria’s worsening humanitarian crisis is compounded by the dire living conditions of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Ojukwu added that the rights of displaced persons to safety, dignity, and livelihood are systematically being violated.

“This devastation highlights the urgent need for coordinated disaster preparedness and response strategies,” he added.

“Our collaboration with UNHCR has highlighted the dire conditions faced by IDPs in many parts of the country.

“These individuals endure inadequate shelter, limited access to healthcare, and a lack of basic amenities.”