The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the federal government to take urgent action against those responsible for the recent surge of killings and kidnappings in Kebbi, Kwara, and other parts of the country.
Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the Commission, made the appeal in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.
Ojukwu was responding to the recent abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi and the killing of worshippers in Kwara state.
He described the ongoing attacks as alarming, saying that the repeated violations against innocent Nigerians have become “one too many.”
According to the statement, “The respect for human life is rapidly diminishing in our country, and this poses a grave danger to the nation.”
He also questioned why Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, has continued to struggle against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists since 2009 without achieving conclusive results.
“Nigerians are demanding immediate government action to protect the right to life for all citizens,” Ojukwu added. “It is both a moral and legal duty for the government to ensure the safety and security of its people.”
The NHRC chief emphasised that every life is valuable and must be protected. He cited the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction and other recent incidents, including the Maga School kidnapping, as examples of urgent cases that require government attention.
He further pointed out that these attacks raise concerns about Nigeria’s commitment to the Safe Schools Declaration and stressed that such acts should never recur, especially since they threaten the safety of schools and places of worship.
According to Ojukwu, Section 33(1) of the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right to life. He also referenced Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which Nigeria has ratified, stating that human beings are inviolable and entitled to respect for life and personal integrity.
Ojukwu highlighted that Nigeria is a signatory to other international human rights instruments, including Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which protects the right to life, liberty, and the security of every person.
Read also: Bandits kidnap 25 female students in Kebbi school
He urged the government to act immediately to safeguard citizens’ lives in accordance with both constitutional and international obligations.
“We demand effective investigation and prosecution of perpetrators, adequate compensation and support for victims and their families, stronger security measures to prevent future attacks, and greater vigilance by citizens in reporting suspicious activities,” Ojukwu said.
He assured that the NHRC will continue to monitor the situation and provide recommendations to relevant authorities to ensure justice and safety for all Nigerians.
