By Blessing Otobong-Gabriel
National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, said human rights violation complaints increased to 261,483 in April.
The Executive Secretary of NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, disclosed this yesterday.
He noted that killings and kidnappings were the most prevalent cases of human rights violations in April.
Ojukwu lamented the surge in human rights abuses, following the attacks in Plateau and Benue States in April.
According to him, hundreds of Nigerians lost their lives and others have been injured due to attacks across the country’s Middle Belt region.
He called on the federal government, states and respective authorities to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of human rights cases in Plateau, Benue and other states.
“In April, there were 261,483 complaints. Why is this number significant? It represents only the visible portion of a much deeper situation.
“The killings in Plateau and Benue States, as well as the resurgence of Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks in Borno, have left hundreds of citizens injured and dead.
“The crisis in the Middle Belt is not new, but has continued for decades without a solution.
“We call for an independent, impartial and prompt investigation of all the cases stated.
“Support services for all victims. Accountability for all perpetrators and sustained investment in all peacebuilding.
“The commission stated that the right to life is non-negotiable.”
Similarly, it stressed that human rights complaints increased by 20 percent on a month-on-month basis, with 35 percent prevalence in the middle belt region.
According to the agency, Benue, Plateau and Borno States recorded 60 percent of killings in Nigeria in April.
The commission completed 863 complaints and petitions of human rights violations in the period under review.
