By Sam Otuonye
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has revealed scathing figures of various human rights violations and abuses going on in the country, reinforcing the unabating state of insecurity amid government efforts at curbing it.
The Commission’s May, 2026 report, tagged, May 2026 Human Rights Situation Dashboard, revealed 390 kidnapping, 202 killings, 182 child abandonment, killings of armed forces and law enforcement 41, sexual and gender based violence 11 and 61, respectively.
The Executive Secretary, Human Rights Commission, Dr Tony Ojukwu disclosed this on Tuesday June 16, 2026, while presenting May 2026 Situation Dashboard to the media, the Military , Police, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders, at the NHRC Headquarters in Abuja.
Giving the breakdown of the situation across geopolitical zones, the Commission said that kidnapping in the North East was 5, North Central 210, North West 56, South East 5, South South 31, and South West 20.
The commission noted that 268, 787 complaints were received in May 2026, out of which 45,000 came from FCT and 40, 000 from Benue, highlighting the ongoing challenges the nation faces in securing human rights for all Nigerians.
According to the commission, violations involving state actors remain the most significant concerns, noting that May 2026 was a devastating month.
Dr Ojukwu stressed that, “human rights in Nigeria, within the span of thirty -one days we witnessed incidents that deeply challenged our collective commitment to human dignity and fundamental freedoms.
“Across several states, civilians lost their lives, children were taken from schools , worshippers were attacked in places of prayer, and security personnel paid the ultimate price , while preparing to protect others. These incidents reflect not isolated tragedies but a broader humanitarian concern that requires urgent national attention.”
According to him one of the most disturbing incidents recorded during the month under review occurred in Tunfa, Zurmi local government area of Zamfara state, where a military airstrike reportedly struck a civilian market patronized by terrorists.
The Commission boss said that NHRC has been in a consultation with the Nigerian Air Force and pleased by the efforts made by the Armed Forces to investigate cases of air strikes that might have affected civilians, stating that the Commission would continue to call for the adoption of the national policy for the protection of civilians in conflict zones.
He also extended concerns over incidents of attacks on military formations and killings of soldiers, and law enforcement personnel stating that as frontline defenders of human rights they need to be equipped for the hydra-headed conflict which Nigeria is facing on all sides.
Dr Ojukwu posited that it is only when the military is equipped and fortified that it can deliver the mission on section 14(2) that Nigerians can safely assert that security of life and properties has been guaranteed, noting the attack on Oyo schools children and teachers where over 45 pupils were abducted and still in captivity, and Borno State where over 40 children were again targeted.
The Commission Executive Secretary encouraged Nigerians not to lose sight of the fundamental principles noting that human rights are not luxury or a privilege but a basic entitlement for all people.
Also speaking, Police Service Commission commended the NHRC for its steadfast dedication to monitoring, documenting and advancing human rights across the country.
The Police Commission Chairman, DIG Hashimu Salihu (Rtd) , Chairman of the represented by the Dame Victoria Esq, in his remarks, said the Human Rights dashboard is an important tool for assessing progress, identifying challenges and promoting evidence -based interventions that will enhance the protection of human rights in Nigeria.
