Human Rights Dashboard: NHRC Recieves 354,997 Complaints, Records 382 Killings, 230 Abductions In July

*Exchange of endorsed MoU between NHRC and Hope Behind Bars Africa Tuesday, August 18th, 2026. Photo credit: Optimum Times 

Statistical data from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) released Tuesday, showed increments in the total number of complaints on forms of human rights abuses currently put at 354,997 for the month of July, 2026.

The figure presented at the NHRC monthly Dashboard on human rights abuses surpassed that of the previous month of June with over 22,000.

Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, who lamented on increasing various forms of human rights abuses in Nigeria, revealed that its efforts to halt the menace informed the Commission’s signing of Memorandum of Association (MoU) with the Hope Behind Bars Africa whose members have been collaborating with the commission in the last two years, to further boost their actions against human rights abuses and care for the victims.

The catalogue of abuses include Kidnapping/abductions, killings, women and children abandonment, mindless killings, infanticide, among others.

Ojukwu reiterated warnings against inflammatory statements and hate speeches by politicians and and religious leaders, noting that such hate speeches are capable setting Nigerians against one another as the nation moves towards 2027 general elections.

While presenting the Human Rights monthly Dashboard, Dr. Hillary Ogbonna, enumerated that out of the total complaints recorded in July 2026, the North Central led with 149,271 complaints (≈42%), top ten states represent ~69% of complaints while the rest of the country is 31%.

He said there was high levels of serious violations in July, citing 382 killings, 230 abductions, 43 road‑accident deaths, and major increases in child abandonment 544 cases, (120% rise).

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) completed over 10,000 investigations for the first time and increased monitoring (e.g., 124 visits to police stations).

“Dashboard flagged thematic surges in law‑enforcement abuses, human dignity violations, sexual and gender‑based violence, digital/technology‑enabled harms, and attacks on food security.

“NHRC capacity July data showed 354,997 total complaints recorded and a steady increase in complaints handled by NHRC.

“NHRC reported completing 10,000+ investigations in the period (first time reaching that mark) with major contribution from the North East region.Visitation/audit activity rose: 124 visits to police stations and 10 military formation visits in July”, he added.

Dr. Ogbonna also cited that Sexual, gender‑based violence and women’s rights Violations are on the increase.

“Violations of women’s rights were led by sexual and reproductive rights issues, closely followed by abandonment of women and gender‑based discrimination. Recorded sexual violence accounts for July shows: 23 rape cases, 67 other sexual violence cases, and 3,426 domestic‑related violence incidents. Notable alarming incidents included sexual violence against children”, he cited.