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NHRC condemns killings, abductions across Nigeria, says sanctity of life must be respected
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has condemned the killing of citizens and abuse of others in some communities across Nigeria, especially the recent incidences in Kebbi and Kwara states where students were abducted from their school and many killed in a church, respectively.
The Commission said the escalating attacks, kidnappings, and killing of innocent people, have become one too many as the dignity to human life is fast waning in the country.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr Tony Ojukwu OFR SAN, said the recent abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi and the killing of worshippers in Kwara remind us again of the grave danger facing our nation. NHRC wonders why the giant of Africa is still battling rag tag BH and ISWAP terrorists since 2009 without conclusive success.
According to a statement by Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Ojukwu, while expressing worry on these heinous acts of violence, said Nigerians demand immediate action from the government to protect the right to life of all citizens.
He said- “It is a matter of moral and legal obligation for the government to ensure the safety and security of its citizens” he said. Adding that “every life is precious and should be preserved, the Chibok school girls incident and other similar ugly misfortunes like the recent Maga school incident call to question the safe schools declaration Nigeria subscribed to, noting that such should not be allowed to reoccur in our dear country, as these dastardly acts put the right to life and safety of our schools and places of worship under threat.”
According to the Learned Silk, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Section 33(1), guarantees the right to life, stating that “Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life”
Additionally he said, Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which Nigeria has ratified, states that “Human beings are inviolable. Every human being shall be entitled to respect for his life and the integrity of his person. No one may be arbitrarily deprived of this right.”
He further stated that Nigeria is a signatory to several other international human rights instruments that protect the right to life, including:
Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which states that Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
The Human Boss therefore used this medium to call on the government to take immediate action to protect the right to life of all Nigerians, in line with its constitutional and international obligations.
“We demand: Effective investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of these heinous crimes; adequate compensation and support to victims and their families; strengthening of security measures to prevent future attacks; and most importantly Increased vigilance and reporting of suspicious activities by citizens.
He assured that the NHRC will continue to monitor the situation and make necessary recommendations to the relevant authorities.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.
“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.
He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.
“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.
The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.
He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.
The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.
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