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NHRC Raises Alarm Over Human Rights Abuses, 406,000 Complaints Recorded in October

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NHRC Raises Alarm Over Human Rights Abuses, 406,000 Complaints Recorded in October

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed deep concern over the rising number of human rights violations across Nigeria, revealing that it received more than 406,000 complaints and monitored over 160 incidents of rights abuses in October 2025 alone.

Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (OFR, SAN, FICMC), made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja while presenting the October 2025 Human Rights Situation Dashboard, a monthly evidence-based report used to track patterns of human rights violations nationwide.

The Dashboard, now in its 22nd month, serves as a tool for policy guidance, advocacy, and public accountability, offering detailed analysis of complaints received and incidents observed through the NHRC’s network of 38 state offices and its Human Rights Observatory.

“The Dashboard has become an indispensable tool for evidence-based advocacy, policy direction, and public accountability,” Ojukwu said. “It provides a mirror to the state of our human rights situation as we continue to confront conflict, insecurity, and criminality.”

According to the NHRC, 406,088 complaints were received in October, reflecting persistent issues around arbitrary detention, police misconduct, sexual and gender-based violence, access to justice, and violations of civil liberties.

Although the Commission recorded a slight drop in killings and abductions compared to September which Ojukwu described as a possible sign of improved security he said the overall picture remains grim, with “hundreds of lives lost in coordinated attacks across Niger, Borno, Plateau, Kaduna, Kogi, and Kwara States.”

“Farmers, herders, women, children, and entire communities have suffered attacks and displacements,” he lamented. “These are not statistics; they are Nigerian mothers, fathers, and children whose dignity has been violated.”

Ojukwu called for urgent intervention by both state and non-state actors, stressing that “the protection of human rights is inseparable from national stability and development.”

The NHRC chief highlighted growing concerns around suicide, extra-judicial killings, torture, inhumane treatment in schools, and the violation of fundamental freedoms such as movement, assembly, and religion.

He said such violations, while often overshadowed by insecurity, erode public trust in institutions and must be addressed through timely reporting, accountability, and reform.

Dr. Ojukwu also weighed in on recent diplomatic tensions following U.S. threats to intervene in Nigeria’s internal affairs over the reported killing of Christians by extremists.

While acknowledging that religiously motivated killings have occurred, he urged for a more nuanced understanding of Nigeria’s conflict dynamics.

“It is true that conflicts and insurgency in Nigeria have led to killings by religious extremists targeting Christian civilians,” he noted. “But it is important to highlight that citizens from other faiths have also been victims.”

Ojukwu stressed that the Nigerian government’s constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property as enshrined in Section 14(2) of the 1999 Constitution must remain paramount.

He, however, cautioned against external interference, insisting that terrorism and violent extremism are complex internal challenges requiring cooperation, not threats.

“Boko Haram and ISWAP have the ideology of Islamising Nigeria,” he explained. “They believe some Nigerian Muslims are not true Muslims and should be killed like Christians. The common enemy here is Boko Haram, who is killing both Christians and Muslims in Nigeria for religious reasons.”

He called on the international community particularly the United States to support Nigeria’s counterterrorism and peacebuilding efforts instead of issuing punitive warnings.

“Rather than threats, what Nigeria needs is partnership and mutual respect,” he said. “Only through collaboration can we end terrorism and secure the lives and liberties of all Nigerians.”

Reaffirming the Commission’s independence and objectivity, Ojukwu said the NHRC remains guided by the Paris Principles, which emphasize impartiality, transparency, and adherence to the rule of law.

He urged all stakeholders government agencies, the media, civil society, and international partners — to interpret human rights data responsibly and recognize the complex realities shaping Nigeria’s security environment.

“The Dashboard is a tool for awareness, advocacy, and action not an instrument of division or blame,” he stressed. “Only through collective responsibility can we uphold the dignity and rights of every person.”

Ojukwu also appreciated the NHRC’s partners including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the Government of Norway for supporting the Tripartite Partnership Programme (TPP) that powers the Commission’s human rights monitoring work.

He commended the dedication of NHRC’s state and FCT offices for gathering the data and the media for amplifying the Commission’s voice.

The October Dashboard underscores a paradox in Nigeria’s human rights landscape: a gradual reduction in overt insecurity metrics such as killings and abductions, yet a surge in institutional violations and socio-economic distress indicators like suicide and police misconduct.

Analysts say the NHRC’s data-driven approach has made the Commission one of the few government institutions providing consistent, verifiable insight into the intersection of security, justice, and governance.

As Ojukwu concluded, the human rights situation remains a test of Nigeria’s democratic maturity:

“Our shared commitment to justice and dignity,” he said, “remains the foundation upon which Nigeria can thrive.”

NHRC Raises Alarm Over Human Rights Abuses, 406,000 Complaints Recorded in October

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President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

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President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

By: Bodunrin Kayode

President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.

The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.

From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.

A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.

“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.

“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.

“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.

Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.

These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001

This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.

And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.

The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.

President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

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NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

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NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.

This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.

The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).

The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).

Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.

Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.

He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.

“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.

“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.

Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.

He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.

NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

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Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

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Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

By: Michael Mike

The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.

The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.

In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.

The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.

During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.

His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.

In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.

He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.

The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.

Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.

Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

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