Nigeria’s Human Rights Crisis: NHRC Reports 169,850 Complaints in January 2025

A Growing National Emergency

The rising wave of human rights violations in Nigeria is no longer just a statistic—it is a national emergency. With 169,850 complaints recorded by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in January 2025 alone, the country is grappling with widespread insecurity, systemic injustices, and an alarming surge in domestic and sexual abuse cases.

While Boko Haram resurges in the North-East, banditry thrives in the North-West, and violence escalates in the South-East, the crisis extends beyond armed conflicts. Victims of sexual violence, domestic abuse, and gender-based crimes are rising at an unprecedented rate, exposing the failures of law enforcement and the justice system.

As Nigeria reaches a turning point, the question remains: Will the government step up, or will impunity continue to define the nation’s human rights landscape?

Breaking Down the Numbers: What the NHRC Report Reveals

According to the NHRC’s January 2025 Dashboard, human rights violations persist in multiple forms across the country. The commission emphasized that each complaint represents an individual, a family, or a community suffering injustice, highlighting the critical need for immediate government action.

NHRC Executive Director Dr. Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN: “Each complaint represents a person, a family, or a community seeking justice, accountability, and relief. While we have made interventions, we must ask ourselves: Are we truly bridging the gap between violations and meaningful remedies?”

Key Findings from the Report

• Total Complaints in January 2025: 169,850
• Sexual and Domestic Abuse Cases: On the rise, with victims struggling to access justice due to weak enforcement and societal stigma.
• Regional Breakdown:
  • North-East: Boko Haram resurgence fueling displacement, kidnappings, and violence.
  • North-West: Banditry and insurgency leading to mass abductions and killings.
  • South-East: Political unrest and criminal activities increasing at an alarming rate.

Sexual and Domestic Abuse: The Silent Epidemic

While armed conflicts and insecurity dominate headlines, the NHRC report uncovers a growing crisis of sexual and domestic abuse.

A Disturbing Trend

• Reports of rape, child molestation, and intimate partner violence have skyrocketed.
• Many victims remain silent due to fear, stigma, or lack of legal protection.
• Weak prosecution rates mean that perpetrators often walk free, perpetuating a cycle of abuse.

Who is to Blame? A System That Fails Its People

It’s easy to point fingers—at the government, at the police, at the criminals. But the real enemy here is a failing system that prioritizes political survival over human rights and security.

Systemic Failures Driving the Crisis

• Corruption: Security and welfare funds are diverted into private pockets.
• Weak institutions: The NHRC can document violations, but does it have the power to enforce justice?
• Poor intelligence and security coordination: Agencies work in silos rather than as a united front against terrorism and crime.

For every human rights abuse that goes unpunished, a dangerous message is sent: injustice can thrive without consequences.

Beyond Complaints: What Needs to Be Done NOW

We cannot continue treating human rights violations as mere statistics. The NHRC report should be a call to action, not just another document that gathers dust.

Actionable Solutions to Stop the Cycle of Violence

1. Government Accountability

   • The government must publicly commit to transparency in its security and justice systems.
   • A special investigative panel should be set up to track how security funds are being used.

2. Community-Led Security Initiatives

   • Local communities must be empowered to collaborate with law enforcement.
   • State policing and neighborhood watch systems should be strengthened.

3. Legal Reforms and Human Rights Protection

   • Security agencies must undergo human rights training to stop indiscriminate killings.
   • A fast-track human rights tribunal should be established to hold violators accountable.

4. International Support and Intervention

   • The Nigerian government must actively seek international human rights assistance to investigate and prosecute major violations.
   • Global human rights organizations should increase monitoring and pressure on Nigerian authorities.

The Power of Public Outrage

History shows us that change happens when people refuse to stay silent.

The NHRC report has given us the facts. Now it’s our turn to act.

• Share this story.
• Demand action from the government.
• Speak up against injustice in your community.

NHRC’s Final Call to Action:

“The persistence of these violations raises serious concerns. Without stronger policies for civilian protection and accountability, human rights abuses