The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised alarm over Nigeria’s deteriorating human rights situation, revealing that it received 268,787 complaints nationwide in May 2026 amid rising insecurity, killings, kidnappings, and attacks on schools and places of worship.
Presenting the Commission’s May Human Rights Situation Dashboard in Abuja on Tuesday, NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, described the month as one of the darkest periods for human rights in recent years, warning that the country is facing a deepening humanitarian crisis that demands urgent intervention.
According to the report, at least 390 people were killed while 202 others were abducted during the month. Children, worshippers, security personnel, and residents of rural communities were among those most affected by the violence.
Ojukwu said the volume of violations recorded within a single month highlights the fragile state of human rights protection across the country.
“May 2026 has been a devastating month for 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,” he said.
The NHRC noted that civilians were killed in various parts of the country, schoolchildren were kidnapped from classrooms, worshippers came under attack during religious activities, and members of the armed forces lost their lives while carrying out official duties.
The Commission expressed concern over the growing attacks on educational institutions, pointing to the abduction of more than 45 pupils and teachers in Oyo State, many of whom were still being held captive at the time of the report.
It also highlighted the kidnapping of over 40 schoolchildren in Borno State, describing the incidents as further evidence of the persistent threats facing schools and the right of children to access education safely.
“What should have been a place of learning became a scene of fear and uncertainty,” Ojukwu lamented, noting that such attacks raise serious concerns about compliance with constitutional provisions, child protection laws, and school safety policies.
The Commission further condemned attacks targeting religious communities, citing an incident in Kwara State where worshippers were assaulted during prayers, leading to fatalities and the abduction of 15 people.
According to Ojukwu, the increasing trend of targeting worshippers constitutes a direct violation of freedom of religion and threatens the social cohesion of affected communities.
NHRC also drew attention to reports of civilian casualties linked to military operations, including an airstrike that allegedly hit a civilian market in Tumfa, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
While acknowledging the Nigerian Air Force’s efforts to investigate allegations of civilian harm, the Commission renewed its call for the adoption of a National Policy for the Protection of Civilians in Conflict and urged authorities to strengthen measures aimed at reducing civilian casualties during security operations.
At the same time, the Commission condemned attacks on military formations and the killing of security personnel, stressing the need to provide the armed forces with improved support, resources, and equipment to combat evolving security threats.
Ojukwu maintained that many of the incidents recorded during the month amounted to violations of rights guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights conventions, including the rights to life, dignity, personal liberty, education, and freedom of religion.
Despite the troubling figures, the NHRC commended ongoing military operations that resulted in the rescue of abducted victims and the neutralisation of terrorists in Borno and other parts of the country.
The Commission urged government institutions and security agencies to strengthen civilian protection measures, improve accountability in operations, enhance school security, and provide psychosocial support for victims and their families.
It also praised civil society organisations, humanitarian groups, development partners, and media practitioners for their roles in documenting abuses and promoting accountability.
Ojukwu called on all stakeholders to remain committed to protecting fundamental rights, stressing that human rights are not privileges but basic entitlements that must be guaranteed for every citizen.
“Human rights are not a luxury or a privilege, but a basic entitlement for all people. It is our collective duty to ensure that every individual in Nigeria can live with dignity, freedom, and equality,” he said.