The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has warned Edo and Anambra State governments to ensure that rights of citizens as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution are respected in the implementation of the laws they enacted on security and others areas. The Commission said detention and trial of such accused persons must conform with international standards.

Dr. Tony Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Executive Secretary of the Commission, gave the warning in Abuja on Wednesday, during the presentation of the February edition of the Commission’s monthly Dashboard on human rights monitoring and other activities in Nigeria which was presented by Hillary Ogbonna, Senior Human Rights Adviser at the Commission.

Ojukwu said- “February also witnessed the enactment of several laws with significant human rights implications. 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, 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.

Ojukwu also drew the attention of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) on the dangers of its campaign for death sentence against drug offenders, saying there must be a balance between he proposed penalty and human rights.

“Additionally, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) proposed death penalty on counterfeit drugs continues to raise concerns regarding the balance between punishment and human rights and lamented several tragic occurrences in some parts of the country while calling on relevant authorities to end he recurring circle of violence affecting he citizens.

“This month, we also report on a number of tragic events that have deeply affected communities across Nigeria. In Delta State, two boats conveying burial guests collided and capsized, resulting in the loss of lives. The herder-related violence in Benue and Niger States continues to wreak havoc, with numerous communities being attacked and displaced. The situation in these states calls for a swift and coordinated response from both state and federal authorities to bring an end to the cycle of violence. Furthermore, the discovery of three young children who tragically lost their lives in a freezer in Anambra State has shocked the nation. This incident underscores the importance of child protection, and we urge relevant authorities to intensify efforts to prevent such atrocities from recurring.

“We continue to witness an alarming rise in cult-related violence in the South-South region. The frequency of cult clashes is escalating, creating an environment of fear and insecurity for ordinary citizens. It is imperative that state and federal law enforcement agencies respond decisively to dismantle these criminal organizations and restore peace to affected communities.

“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 he Policy is aimed at protection of children and young persons who use the services of the NHRC from harm and ensure they are treated with dignity and their human rights protected,” the Chief Human Rights Officer stated.

According to Ojukwu, NHRC received a total of 205,364 complaints in February which he said underscored the ongoing challenges in securing human rights for all Nigerians, noting that security personnels have continued to violate rights of citizens, despite efforts to address the menace.

“Notably, violations involving state actors continue to top the list, which remains a grave concern. Despite our collective efforts, there are still instances where those entrusted with enforcing the law end up being perpetrators of violations themselves. This reality calls for a renewed emphasis on accountability, particularly within law enforcement agencies. The use of power must always align with human rights standards, and any abuses must be swiftly addressed. In addition to this, we have observed troubling trends in the violations of economic, social, and cultural rights. These rights, which are fundamental to human dignity, continue to be overlooked in several parts of our country. Access to basic necessities such as food, housing, healthcare, and education remains a challenge for far too many. We must take urgent steps to address these disparities and work toward policies that ensure equitable access for all Nigerians.

The NHRC boss said that in spite of challenges faced by the Commission and its staff, they would continue to pursue the goal of securing the rights of Nigerians and other nationals living in the country, adding that the Dashboard was not an end in itself, but aimed at creating awareness and to serve as wakeup call for all stakeholders to play their parts in the fight against human rights violations.

“I must reiterate that our work at the National Human Rights Commission does not end with the publication of this dashboard. Rather, it is a call to action. We have noticed recently the use of our dashboard information and statistics at state level by political actors. We understand the emotions that may arise when states are faced with the realities of the information relating to their states. We welcome every debate and continue to call on states government to study the dashboard carefully and take actions aimed at addressing the challenges highlighted by the Commission. The dashboard is merely a starting point, a tool to provoke dialogue, and inspire concrete steps toward solutions. We must continue working with government agencies, civil society, international partners, and communities to address these violations and find lasting solutions.

“I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for their continued support. Additionally, I extend my appreciation to our tireless staff members across the country, the media, and all our stakeholders whose contributions continue to make a tangible difference in the lives of Nigerians,” he stated.