A disturbing trend of human rights abuses has emerged in Nigeria, with 1,712 kidnapping cases and 1,463 killings reported between January and September 2024, according to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The alarming figures were revealed at the Civil Society Consultation on the State of Human Rights in Nigeria, held in Abuja in collaboration with the European Union.
Surge in Child Abandonment Cases
Hillary Ogbonna, the commission’s human rights adviser, highlighted an alarming rise in child abandonment cases, with 550 cases recorded in February, 323 in March, and 491 in April. This surge is believed to be linked to the recruitment of children by terrorist groups operating in the country.
Breakdown of Violations
The data presented by Ogbonna revealed:
- January 2024: 150 kidnappings, 55 killings, and 15 cases of hate speech
- February 2024: 215 kidnappings, 106 killings, and 550 child abandonment cases
- March 2024: 499 kidnappings, 172 killings, and 323 child abandonment cases
- April 2024: 99 kidnappings, 211 killings, and 491 child abandonment cases
- May 2024: 360 kidnappings and 298 killings
Call for Urgent Reforms
The NHRC has called for immediate action to protect Nigeria’s vulnerable populations and curb human rights violations. Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu emphasized the complex and evolving nature of the country’s human rights landscape, highlighting restrictions on individual and organizational freedoms.
International Concern
The European Union’s Deputy Head of Delegation, Zissimos Vergos, expressed concern and determination to address global human rights issues, emphasizing the importance of democracy and human rights in achieving collective peace, social justice, and prosperity
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