The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has disclosed that it received a total of 406,088 complaints on human rights violations and monitored over 160 incidents across Nigeria in October 2025.
According to the Commission’s Human Rights Situation Dashboard presented in Abuja on Monday, the highest number of reported violations came from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Benue, and Borno States, with sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) topping the list of recorded cases.
Speaking during the presentation, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN), described the figures as “alarming,” noting that behind each statistic was a story of pain and injustice.
“These are not mere statistics; they are Nigerian mothers, fathers, and children whose dignity has been violated,” Ojukwu said.
He called for urgent government and community action to tackle the growing cases of sexual and gender-based violence, police misconduct, arbitrary detention, and violations of civil liberties across the country.
The October report documented a number of disturbing incidents nationwide, including cases of defilement, rape, and assault.
In Lagos State, a man was arrested for allegedly defiling his 19-year-old daughter; in Ekiti State, two men were accused of assaulting a woman. In the FCT, a 13-year-old hawker and a 15-year-old girl in Kuje were reportedly raped in separate incidents.
Similarly, in Plateau State, a man was arrested for defiling a three-year-old girl, while in Enugu, a father allegedly defiled his two daughters. In Rivers State, a 13-year-old girl was reportedly assaulted at a football academy.
Reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to justice, Ojukwu expressed continued support for the public’s call for justice in the case of Ochanya Elizabeth Ogbanje, the 13-year-old girl who died in 2018 after enduring prolonged sexual abuse.
The NHRC also condemned acts of banishment, citing a recent case in Benue State, where a pregnant widow was expelled from her community for allegedly stealing food to feed her children.
Ojukwu described the act as unconstitutional, referencing Sections 34, 35, 40, and 41 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantee human dignity, personal liberty, freedom of association, and freedom of movement.
The report also highlighted violations of the right to peaceful assembly, noting police crackdowns on protesters in the FCT demanding the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, during which journalists were assaulted and several demonstrators arrested.
Reacting to recent U.S. criticism over religious killings, Ojukwu clarified that extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP target both Christians and Muslims.
“The common enemy here is Boko Haram, which targets both Christians and Muslims,” he said. “Rather than threats, we urge the international community to support Nigeria’s efforts to end terrorism through partnership and mutual respect.”
He reaffirmed the NHRC’s commitment to impartiality, transparency, and independence in line with the Paris Principles, describing the Human Rights Dashboard as a tool for advocacy and accountability, not blame.
The event was attended by Ambassador Fredrich Ebert Stiftung, representing the United Nations and ECOWAS, who commended the Commission’s data-driven approach to promoting democracy, human rights, and accountability in Nigeria.
