Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and human rights situation came into sharper focus in June 2026, as the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) disclosed that it received 326,113 human rights complaints within the month, blaming rising killings and sexual violence against children for the disturbing trend.
Presenting the Commission’s June 2026 Human Rights Situation Dashboard, the Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, said the figure—equivalent to more than 10,800 complaints daily—highlights the urgent need for stronger action to protect the rights and lives of Nigerians.
“For the month of June 2026, the Commission received a total of 326,113 complaints, a figure that underscores the ongoing and urgent challenge of securing human rights for all Nigerians,” Ojukwu said, warning that the persistent wave of violence demands immediate and coordinated intervention.
According to the report, the right to life remained the most violated fundamental human right, with armed violence accounting for a significant share of reported abuses. The Commission also raised concern over the increasing number of sexual violence cases involving children, describing the trend as one of the country’s gravest human rights challenges.
The report linked the growing violations to the country’s multiple security crises, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry and mass kidnappings in the North-West and North-Central, communal clashes, separatist violence in the South-East and continued attacks on rural communities.
The NHRC also referenced findings by the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Professor Nazila Ghanea, who warned that insecurity, kidnappings, displacement and attacks on communities continue to undermine fundamental freedoms and fuel religious tensions.
As discussions on state police continue, Ojukwu urged policymakers to build strong safeguards against political interference and abuse, warning that decentralised policing must not worsen existing human rights concerns.
The Commission further renewed its call for justice for victims of the Yelewata massacre in Benue State, noting that many survivors remain displaced a year after the attack. It urged security agencies to strengthen civilian protection, prosecute perpetrators, expand child protection measures, improve school safety and provide psychosocial support for victims.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) endorsed the Human Rights Situation Dashboard, describing it as an important tool for promoting transparency, accountability and evidence-based policing reforms across Nigeria.
