ABUJA – The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has called on the Federal Government to implement urgent and comprehensive security reforms in light of escalating violence in various parts of the country, especially in Plateau and Benue States.
During a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja, the Head of the IHRC Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, H.E. Ambassador Dr Duru Hezekiah, condemned the increasing wave of killings and unrest that continue to plague communities nationwide.
Hezekiah warned that the ongoing violence has led to serious human rights violations and deepening humanitarian crises, severely impacting civilians in multiple regions.
“The government must take immediate steps to protect the lives and property of its citizens,” Dr Hezekiah urged, stressing the need for swift and strategic intervention.
The IHRC recommended that the government adopt robust security measures and establish effective oversight mechanisms to prevent further violence and uphold human rights across the country.
Dr Hezekiah also cited the persistent threats of terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping that have worsened insecurity, particularly in the North-East and North-West.
“Apart from the terrorism and banditry ravaging the North-East and North-West, the menace of kidnapping spans the entire North and parts of the South,” he noted.
In response, the IHRC advised the government to involve local communities in shaping security responses, ensuring that strategies are not only effective but also culturally and socio-economically appropriate.
Despite the challenges, the organisation expressed optimism in President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, citing his prior record in advancing democratic principles and expressing hope for effective governance during this critical period.
The IHRC emphasized that safeguarding human life and ensuring justice must remain at the forefront of Nigeria’s national security agenda.
