Nigeria's NHRC warns of rising insecurity and digital rights gaps

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Nigeria has issued warnings regarding rising human rights threats, including insecurity, hate speech, and digital rights violations.

At a meeting in Abuja with Accountability Lab, NHRC Executive Secretary Dr. Tony Ojukwu called for a coordinated framework to address complaints within the digital ecosystem. He noted that current responses to online rights violations are fragmented, citing issues such as ambiguous referral pathways and a lack of standard procedures for preserving digital evidence.

Additionally, the NHRC reported receiving 297,943 complaints nationwide in August 2026. Dr. Ojukwu highlighted the worsening impact of insecurity and political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections. He specifically called for transparent investigations into killings in Benue and Niger states and emphasized the need for survivor support following security interventions.