Tony Ojukwu, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, has reported that the commission has received over two million complaints within a year. 

He noted that investigating each complaint at a cost of N5,000 would require no less than N10 million.

Ojukwu expressed concern over the commission’s annual budget of N4.5 billion, which is expected to cover various activities including office rents, salaries, and complaint investigations. 

He also criticized the insufficient budget allocation, stating that the meager N4.5 billion is inadequate for fulfilling the commission’s mandates.

He further highlighted that many of the commission’s state offices are rented, potentially subjecting it to political influences and landlord interests. 

“Together, we can raise awareness on human rights issues and spark meaningful conversations that lead to effective positive change

“The commission is here to serve as a beacon of hope, a refuge for the oppressed and a watchdog against any encroachment on human rights,” Ojukwu said.

In his address, Mr. Jide Oyekunle, Chairman of the FCT Correspondent Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, pointed out that most human rights violations are perpetrated by the police. 

He described the police as an instrument of oppression against innocent citizens and a tool for powerful individuals to intimidate and victimize common people or perceived opponents.

Oyekunle emphasized that despite political progress, Nigerians continue to experience human rights abuses by security agencies, with perpetrators often going unpunished. He called for collective action to address this pervasive issue of human rights violations in Nigeria.