By Nworisa Michael
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the development of a comprehensive national policy to strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights across Nigeria, amid rising security concerns and increasing reports of violence in several parts of the country.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, made the call while reacting to the recent escalation of attacks affecting both civilians and security personnel in different regions of the country.
Ojukwu expressed deep concern over what he described as the growing frequency, intensity, and geographical spread of the attacks, noting that they have continued to target not only military formations but also civilian communities and critical public spaces.
He said, “The Commission is deeply concerned by the escalation, frequency, and geographic spread of the attacks,” stressing that recent incidents have affected places of worship, markets, public institutions, and residential communities.
The NHRC boss extended condolences to the Nigerian military, as well as to the governments and people of states heavily impacted by the violence, including Borno State, Niger State, Benue State, Kaduna State, Kwara State, Sokoto State, and Plateau State, among others.
He emphasised that the current situation underscores the urgent need for a coordinated and structured national framework that would address existing gaps in human rights protection, improve accountability, and ensure compliance with both domestic and international human rights standards.
According to him, the proposed national policy would serve as a strategic tool for safeguarding the rights of citizens, particularly in conflict-affected areas, while also strengthening institutional responses to violations.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to working with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organisations, and the international community, to ensure that human rights are upheld and protected at all times.
The call by the NHRC comes amid ongoing concerns about insecurity and its impact on fundamental rights, with stakeholders increasingly advocating for stronger legal and policy frameworks to address the challenges.
