Yelwata Killings, Escalating Insecurity Nationwide Re-echo At NHRC Monthly Dashboard 

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday raised concerns over neglect of survivors of Yelwata killings, the increasing spate of kidnappings and all forms of human rights abuses prevailing in Nigeria.

The Commission’s concern raised at the presentation of its Monthly Dashboard for June, is against the background of increased complaints on human rights abuses which increased from 268, 787 received in May to 326,113 complaints in the month of June, 2026.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, who spoke at the opening session of the Human Rights Dashboard presentation, further expressed worry that a year after the callous killings of over 100 citizens of Yelwata, Benue state, the survivors are yet to be taken care of.

According to Ojukwu, “June also marked the first anniversary of the Yelwata massacre in Benue State, in which over 100 lives were lost in a single night. One year later, survivors remain displaced, living in overcrowded conditions with limited access to food, clean water, and medical care.

“The Commission joins all those calling for justice for the victims of Yelwata and for every community across this country that continues to await accountability.”

Further, he said for the month of June 2026, the Commission received a total of 326,113 complaints, a figure that underscores the ongoing and urgent challenge of securing human rights for all Nigerians.

“Our Human Rights Observatory, which monitors violations through systematic incident tracking across the country, recorded distinct incidents of human rights violations during the month. The right to life was the most frequently violated right, while the dominant pattern of armed violence remained consistent.

“Equally alarming is the data on sexual violence against children, the Observatory recorded several cases of sexual violence against minors in June. This pattern of sustained, unresolved violence demands urgent, coordinated intervention”, Ojukwu said.

While commending the decentralization of Nigeria’s policing structure and operations, Ojukwu however expressed concern about the potential for human rights violations which may result as a result of interference and lack of skills and training.

On the Yelwata massacre, Ojukwu said: “June also marked the first anniversary of the Yelwata massacre in Benue State, in which over 100 lives were lost in a single night. One year later, survivors remain displaced, living in overcrowded conditions with limited access to food, clean water, and medical care. The Commission joins all those calling for justice for the victims of Yelwata and for every community across this country that continues to await accountability.”