Attacks

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said on Monday in Abuja that Benue and Niger states’ rural communities have suffered renewed attacks in the month of August.

 

The Executive Secretary of NHRC, Dr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, said this at the presentation of the commission’s monthly dashboard of complaints of right violation in August.

 

He noted that in August alone, the Commission recorded a total of 297,943 complaints across the country.

 

Ojukwu noted that the figure highlighted both persistent challenges and instances where effective state responseproduced positive outcomes.

 

“In the month of August, insecurity again dominated the human rightslandscape.

 

“Benue and Niger states particularly witnessed renewed attack on rural communities even as security operations continued in the states.

 

“The commission reiterates its call for a thorough, transparent investigation into these killings and for the perpetrators of these and similar attacks across the country to be brought to justice without further delay.

 

“It would be remiss of me not to also acknowledge what went right this pastmonth,” he saidOn the 5th of August, according to Ojukwu, news that 308 Nigerians abducted across Niger and Kwara states were rescued in a single, coordinated, intelligence-led security operation.

 

He added that this was echoed on a smaller scale through the month in Benue, where security operatives secured the release of many persons held in captivity.

 

He commended the swift and coordinated action that led to the release of the 15 NYSC corps members abducted in Kogi on their way fromAbuja after passing out of the Bayelsa State Orientation Camp.

 

“These outcomes demonstrate what can be achieved when intelligence, politicalwill and inter-agency coordination come together.

 

“It is a standard the commission expects to see consistently, not occasionally, and we commend the security agencies involved.

“I would like to emphasise that rescue must be followed by appropriate medical, psychosocial, family reunification and other forms of support necessary for the recovery and reintegration of survivors,” he said.

 

Ojukwu noted further that August witnessed increasing hate speeches and political violence by political and religious actors.

 

He said as campaigns for the 2027 General Elections begin, the NHRC will remain vigilant to ensure that political actors play by the rules.

 

He added that the commission would continue to work with stakeholders to ensure that human rights, particularly the right to participation was respected.

 

“The electoral process is intricately interwoven with the enjoyment of a cocktail of human rights, including the right to freedom of association, assembly, expression, movement and the rights to life and dignity of human persons.

 

“I would also like to use this platform to speak to a matter of direct relevance to many of you in this room: the Foreign Aid Bill currently before the National Assembly.

 

“As an institution whose mandateincludes safeguarding the space within which civil society, the media, andour development partners operate, the commission recognises thelegitimate interest in transparency and accountability that the bill seeks toserve.

 

“At the same time, we are mindful of the concerns raised by civil society organisations, the media, and international partners regarding itsimplications for civic space and the independence of organisations workingto advance human rights in Nigeria,” he said.

 

He, therefore, encouraged the National Assembly to engage constructively with these concerns, particularly those relating to freedom of association, freedom of expression and the independence of civil society organisations.

 

Ojukwu added that the Commission will continue to monitor the legislative process from a human rights perspective and, where necessary,make appropriate interventions within its mandate.

 

The dashboard graphical presentation was done by Mr Hiliary Ogbonna, convener of the event and senior human rights adviser to the commission.He lamented the killing of rural farmers and described it as an attack on food security.

 

Ogbonna also noted the spike in mass abductions, children’s rights, political killings, attacks on the media and freedom of religion.

 

He added sexual and physical assault on children and abandonment of children and female spouses are on the increase.

 

Ogbonna said the August dashboard presented a decrease of 15 per cent in the number of complaints.