The National Human Rights Commission revealed on Wednesday that between January and September 2024, a total of 1,712 kidnapping cases were recorded.
The commission also reported that, during the same period, 1,463 killings occurred in the country.
This information was presented at the Civil Society Consultation on the State of Human Rights in the country, organised by the NHRC in collaboration with the European Union, and held in Abuja.
The event, which also marked the inauguration of the Human Rights Defenders Forum agenda, called for urgent reforms to protect Nigeria’s vulnerable populations and help curb rights violations in the country.
In his presentation, the commission’s human rights adviser, Hillary Ogbonna, disclosed that the country had seen an alarming rise in child abandonment cases, posing a major challenge.
He explained that this surge was likely resulting in more children being recruited by terrorist Islamist groups operating in the country.
The data presented by Ogbonna revealed a worrying wave of violent crimes and rights violations in the country.
The report stated, “January 2024 recorded 150 kidnappings and 55 killings, alongside 15 cases of hate speech. February recorded 215 kidnappings, 106 killings, and 550 cases of child abandonment. March saw 499 kidnappings, 172 killings, and 323 child abandonment cases.
April recorded 99 kidnappings, 211 killings, and 491 cases of child abandonment. May saw 360 kidnappings and 298 killings.”
Ogbonna stated that there was an increase in killings recorded in June due to the economic hardship in the country.
He also noted an upsurge in human rights violations and child abandonment cases.
“June recorded 138 kidnappings, 240 killings; July recorded 138 kidnappings and 240 killings. August and September showed 113 kidnappings and 141 killings,” he added.
Ogbonna disclosed that there was a surge in the crisis as the months progressed, with July recording 3,300 child abandonment cases and the killings of 37 law enforcement officers.
Meanwhile, September recorded 2,723 child abandonment cases.
The Executive Secretary of the Rights Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN), in his remarks, noted that the human rights landscape in Nigeria is both complex and evolving.
He added that, while strides had been made, there are still challenges to be addressed, especially concerning the protection of civic space and the safety of human rights defenders.
He said, “In recent years, we have witnessed alarming trends, including restrictions on the rights of individuals and organisations to operate freely, and threats against those who dare to speak truth to power. These developments serve as a stark reminder that the protection of human rights is an ongoing struggle that requires continuous vigilance, action, and cooperation from all sectors of society.”
He also highlighted three major events preceding the current consultation, which are worth mentioning: the End Bad Governance protests in August, the arraignment of minors in Abuja, and the presentation of the report of the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter-Insurgency Operations in the North East.
“These three events underscore the state of human rights in Nigeria and present discussion points on our institutions and mechanisms. Their outcomes also offer us hope and opportunities to base our present and future actions on, ensuring the protection of the human rights of vulnerable Nigerians,” he said.
The Deputy Head of Delegation to the European Union in Nigeria, Zissimos Vergos, noted that the EU’s view on global human rights is one of concern and determination.
He added that, while significant strides have been made, there is more work to pursue.
“This is a new era, where human rights and democracy continue to evolve amidst social movements, technological advancement, and global consciousness. The digital age has expanded the reach of all voices, enabling them to be heard worldwide,” Vergos said.
“Democracy and human rights should be the cornerstones upon which we build collective peace, social justice, and prosperity. It remains always a work in progress; we are fully cautious, but we sincerely feel our history, which began in the 1950s, demonstrates that human rights are not just an ethical obligation, but the practical foundation for sustainable development, enabling societies to live in harmony.”
