The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised serious concerns over a surge in sexual violence against minors and worsening human rights conditions across the country, following the release of its first-quarter 2026 dashboard.
Presenting the report in Abuja, the Commission disclosed that at least nine cases of sexual assault involving minors were recorded in Niger State between January and March 2026. The data revealed disturbing patterns of abuse, with victims as young as three years old and perpetrators ranging from teenagers to men in their fifties.
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In one of the reported incidents, a 19-year-old man allegedly raped two girls aged five and four, while a 50-year-old suspect was arrested for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy.
The Senior Human Rights Adviser to the NHRC, Hillary Ogbonna, described the cases as a grim reflection of the vulnerability of children and called for urgent action to strengthen protection systems and ensure accountability.
“These cases are not just statistics; they are a stark reminder of the urgent need to protect our children and ensure justice for victims,” he said.
Beyond child protection concerns, the Commission reported a total of 659,617 complaints nationwide within the quarter, representing a five percent increase compared to the same period in 2025.
The NHRC dashboard highlighted a sharp rise in rights violations, particularly in areas related to law enforcement abuses and human dignity. Over 61,000 complaints were recorded in February alone, while cases involving discrimination and violations of the right to life also surged, with 552 incidents documented in the same month.
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According to the Commission, the data reflects a deteriorating security situation across the country. Incidents of mass killings were reported in several states, with Kwara State and Zamfara State among the hardest hit.
In Kwara, more than 160 people were reportedly killed in coordinated attacks on communities, while Zamfara witnessed repeated assaults by armed groups that left scores dead. February emerged as the deadliest month within the review period, underscoring the escalation of violence nationwide.
Religious freedom also came under threat, with Kaduna State recording the abduction of 172 worshippers during church services. The report further noted targeted attacks on both Christian and Muslim clerics, alongside similar incidents in Kebbi, Kogi, Ondo, Kwara, and Plateau states.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, explained that the dashboard draws from complaints received nationwide as well as data generated by the Commission’s Human Rights Observatory, which captures incidents beyond formally reported cases.
Ojukwu noted a steady increase in complaints throughout the quarter, rising from 180,341 in January to 256,132 in March, with discrimination-related issues consistently ranking highest.
He said the trend reflects both persistent violations and improved reporting mechanisms, but stressed the urgent need for concrete action.
“The persistence of discrimination-related complaints, the rise in cases linked to law enforcement and human dignity, and the continued prevalence of insecurity-related killings and abductions all point to the urgency of translating policy commitments into concrete action,” he said.
The NHRC boss added that the findings align with the Commission’s 2026 Human Rights Outlook, which identified insecurity, discrimination, gender-based violence, and socio-economic vulnerabilities as key risk areas.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to improving access to justice, strengthening accountability systems, and promoting awareness to prevent human rights violations.
Ojukwu also emphasized the importance of sustaining the dashboard as an independent accountability tool, noting that while it initially benefited from support by development partners, the Commission is determined to maintain it long-term.
Describing the report as more than a routine data release, he called on stakeholders, particularly the media, to actively engage with the findings.
“This first quarter report is not merely a presentation of data; it is a clear call to action — for stronger institutions, more responsive governance, and a renewed national commitment to the protection of human dignity,” he said.