NHRC recorded upsurge in child abandonment in October, says commission
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday said it recorded an upsurge in the number of child abandonment cases reported to it in October.
The senior human rights adviser to the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Mr. Hilary Ogbonna, made this known at the presentation of the October Dashboard report of the commission.
Ogbonna said that it is worrisome to know that the cases concerning children are seen to be going up with each month.
“In October, we recorded over 1,300 cases of child abandonment. And it’s important that we understand that the violation of children’s rights may not just be child abandonment alone.
“Yes, we always say in the commission that child abandonment is like the highest form of vulnerability a child can face. And with that come secondary, ancillary, and tertiary human rights violations.
“But look at child marriage. Look at harmful traditional practices. Look at also trafficking.
Right to survival and development as enshrined in the Child Rights Act,” he lamented.
He said the states in focus are Zamfara, which recorded t70 kidnappings, and Anambra, with 20 cult-related killings.
Ogbonna added that Sokoto State suffered the emergence of a new terrorist group named Lakawura and Jigawa, resulting in 167 deaths as a result of an oil explosion.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN), expressed concern over the number of violations recorded in October.
“In October, the commission received 427,606 complaints from its 38 offices nationwide.
“While this is a significant increase from previous months, it also signals an undeniable pattern of systemic human rights violations across the country.
“One of the most notable trends this month is the widespread abuse of freedom from discrimination, which emerged as the most frequently reported violation.
“This disturbing trend speaks to the deep-rooted inequalities and prejudices that continue to plague our society.
“The challenge then is not just to acknowledge this issue but to take decisive action to dismantle these barriers and ensure equal treatment for all Nigerians, regardless of background, ethnicity, religion, or status,” he said.
The dashboard, according to Ojukwu, is not merely a collection of data; it is a call to action and a powerful tool for advocacy.
He added that each number represents the voice of a citizen, and each statistic points to a broader story of rights, violations, and the urgent need for accountability.
“Through this monthly process, we have consistently provided a comprehensive overview of human rights concerns, detailing complaints received from across the country, as well as tracked incidents of human rights violations.
“By doing so, we aim to offer a vital resource to all those working to advance human rights in Nigeria.
“We have seen how our findings have not only captured the attention of stakeholders but have also triggered meaningful discussions and actions on pressing human rights issues.
“As we continue to expand this initiative, we remain resolute in our mission to chart the way forward for Nigeria’s human rights landscape,” he said.
