The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) disclosed that 144 abductions were reported in the country in February 2025.

The NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr Tony Ojukwu, disclosed this on Wednesday at the presentation of the February 2025 human rights dashboard in Abuja.

The report added that 191 killings were recorded in the month, including 45 deaths from communal clashes.

A total of 121 deaths in vehicle-related accidents were reported in the month under consideration.

The Commission also disclosed that complaints of human rights violations in Nigeria rose by 25 per cent in February 2025.

According to the report, 205,364 complaints of rights violations were received by the Commission in the month, more than the 169,850 cases received in January 2025.

Ojukwu noted that Nigeria is experiencing a disturbing trend whereby human rights complaints received by the NHRC have continued to rise.

He stated that in February there were mass killings and abductions in the North-West and North-Central, cult-related killings, inter- and intra-communal violence, extra-judicial killings by the police and the Armed Forces, the resurgence of Boko Haram-related attacks, and an increase in rape cases.

He noted that a total of 341 complaints relating to rape were recorded in February, 136 cases of sexual violence, and 6,954 complaints of domestic violence in the month.

The Commission also stated that child abandonment spiked in February 2025, with about 1400 cases recorded.

Highlighting human rights issues in focus in February 2025, the NHRC raised the alarm over a rise in suicide cases and attacks on academic communities, in addition to regular topics such as cultism, extrajudicial killings, and deaths by accident.

The Commission also expressed concern that some legislation and policies introduced to address the challenges pose threats to citizens’ human rights.

“February also witnessed the enactment of several laws with significant human rights implications. Among them, we saw the Edo State Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law 2025, the Anambra Homeland Security Law 2025, and the Edo State Kidnapping Prohibition Law 2025. These laws promote severe penalties, including the death penalty, for individuals involved in cultism and kidnapping, particularly those linked to ritualistic activities.

“While we understand the sentiments and the need for strong measures against such heinous acts, it is crucial to ensure that the rights of the accused are upheld and that justice is administered in a manner consistent with international human rights standards.

“Additionally, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control’s (NAFDAC) proposed death penalty on counterfeit drugs continues to raise concerns regarding the balance between punishment and human rights,” the Commission said.

Ojukwu also spoke of the need to effectively address the disturbing issue of child abandonment, a problem that is tied to the severe economic hardship in the country.

He said a Child Safeguarding Policy has been established by the NHRC to help address the problem.

“The disturbing trend of child abandonment remains largely unaddressed, with an upsurge in reported cases to our offices. In a bid to support our work as frontline human rights defenders in dealing with issues of women and children, the NHRC has approved a Child Safeguarding Policy.

“The policy is aimed at the protection of children and young persons who use the services of the NHRC from harm and ensuring they are treated with dignity and their human rights protected,” he said.

Ojukwu expressed sadness that there are still instances where those entrusted with enforcing the law end up being perpetrators of violations themselves.
Ojukwu spoke of the need for accountability in law enforcement.

The NHRC Human Rights Dashboard provides a breakdown of the human rights situation in the country monthly.