Benue, Niger witnessed renewed attacks on communities in August: NHRC

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

The executive secretary of NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, SAN, said this at the presentation of the commission’s monthly dashboard of complaints of rights violations in August.

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

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

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

“Benue and Niger states particularly witnessed renewed attacks 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 past month,” he said.

According to Mr Ojukwu, on August 5, news emerged 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 throughout 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 while travelling from Abuja after passing out from the Bayelsa State Orientation Camp.

“These outcomes demonstrate what can be achieved when intelligence, political will 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.

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

He said that 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, are respected.

“The electoral process is intricately interwoven with the enjoyment of a cocktail of human rights, including the rights to freedom of association, assembly, expression and movement, as well as 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 mandate includes safeguarding the space within which civil society, the media and our development partners operate, the commission recognises the legitimate interest in transparency and accountability that the bill seeks to serve.

“At the same time, we are mindful of the concerns raised by civil society organisations, the media and international partners regarding its implications for civic space and the independence of organisations working to 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.

Mr 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’s graphical presentation was made by Hillary 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.

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

He added that sexual and physical assaults on children, as well as the abandonment of children and female spouses, are on the increase.

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

(NAN)