The National Human Rights Commission has issued a stark warning about Nigeria's deteriorating security situation, stating that recent violent incidents in Kebbi and Kwara states represent a severe threat to the fundamental right to life of all citizens.
NHRC Sounds Alarm on Security Crisis
Dr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, Executive Secretary of the NHRC, expressed deep concern in a Thursday statement, describing the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the killing of worshippers in Kwara as heartbreaking reminders of the nation's security challenges. He emphasized that despite Nigeria's leadership position in Africa, the country continues to struggle against Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents more than ten years after their emergence.
"Nigerians are demanding urgent and decisive action from the government," Dr. Ojukwu stated, noting that protecting citizens' lives represents not just a moral responsibility but a constitutional and legal obligation for the state.
Safe Schools Commitment Under Scrutiny
The Commission highlighted that incidents like the recent Maga school attack, together with historical tragedies including the Chibok and Dapchi abductions, raise serious questions about Nigeria's commitment to the Safe Schools Declaration it previously endorsed.
According to Dr. Ojukwu, the persistent nature of these attacks demonstrates that educational institutions, places of worship, and communities remain dangerously exposed to violence. He reaffirmed the constitutional and international protections guaranteeing the right to life, specifically referencing:
- Section 33(1) of Nigeria's 1999 Constitution
- Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights
- Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The statement, officially signed by Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Director of Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, called for immediate national action to address the crisis.
Decade-Long Pattern of School Attacks
Nigeria has experienced a disturbing pattern of school assaults over the past ten years, with multiple northern states witnessing mass student abductions by armed groups.
The crisis began dramatically on 14 April 2014 when Boko Haram fighters stormed Government Girls' Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, abducting 276 girls after shooting randomly to terrorize residents.
This was followed by similar incidents across the region:
- February 2018: 110 students taken from Dapchi, Yobe State
- December 2020: Over 300 boys kidnapped from Kankara, Katsina State
- February 2021: Approximately 317 girls abducted from Jangebe, Zamfara State
- March 2023: 287 students and one teacher seized in Kuriga, Kaduna State
The NHRC has demanded thorough investigations and prosecution of perpetrators, compensation for victims and their families, enhanced security measures to prevent future attacks, and increased citizen vigilance. Dr. Ojukwu assured that the Commission would continue monitoring developments and providing recommendations to relevant authorities.
