Human rights violations in Nigeria have reached alarming levels under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) reporting an unprecedented 305,300 cases in September 2024 alone. This disturbing figure highlights a growing trend of abuse, with the commission raising the alarm over the surge in complaints since Tinubu assumed office last year.

Anthony Ojukwu, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, expressed deep concern over the escalating number of human rights abuses, noting that each statistic represents a real person whose dignity has been violated. “These figures are not just numbers—they are lives shattered by injustice, fear, and oppression. We must respond with urgency,” Ojukwu said at a recent event in Abuja.

The report painted a grim picture, revealing that the North-West region recorded the highest number of complaints, with violations ranging from restrictions on religious freedoms to degrading treatment by law enforcement agencies. Other concerning trends included a spike in sexual and gender-based violence, with 70 cases of rape reported in September, as well as increasing instances of mob attacks and extrajudicial killings.

The NHRC also highlighted the excessive use of force by police during protests, such as the violent crackdown on the #FearlessInOctober demonstrations in Abuja, where protesters calling for good governance and accountability were met with tear gas and brutality. “These actions are a blatant violation of the fundamental rights of citizens,” Ojukwu remarked, pointing to the continued disregard for civil liberties under the Tinubu administration.

Even more alarming is the rising death toll from road accidents, with over 1,471 fatalities in the first quarter of 2024. The NHRC emphasized that such preventable tragedies severely undermine human rights, calling on the government to take immediate action to address these issues.

The staggering rise in complaints month after month paints a damning picture of the state of human rights in Nigeria. From 1,147 cases in January to over 305,000 in September, the data reflects a worsening crisis, raising serious concerns about the Tinubu government’s ability—or willingness—to protect the rights and welfare of its citizens.