By George Ozalla
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed condolences to the Nigerian military and several state governments over the recent surge in terrorist and armed attacks across parts of the country, urging the Federal Government to adopt a comprehensive national policy focused on the protection of civilians.
In a statement signed by the Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, the Commission extended sympathy to the governments and people of Borno, Niger, Benue, Kaduna, Kwara, Sokoto, Plateau and other affected states, noting that many communities have continued to bear the weight of the escalating violence.
The statement conveyed the position of the Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, who said the Commission is deeply troubled by the growing frequency, scale and spread of the attacks, which in recent months have targeted military formations, civilian communities, places of worship, markets and public institutions, leaving behind deaths, injuries, destruction and widespread displacement.
He drew attention to coordinated assaults on military bases in the North-East, particularly in Borno State, where officers were killed, as well as suicide bombings in civilian locations including markets and hospitals in Maiduguri. He also pointed to mass casualty incidents in rural communities across Niger, Benue and Kwara states, attacks on worshippers in Kaduna, and recurring violence in parts of Sokoto and Plateau states.
The Commission said the pattern of attacks reflects a widening threat, with both civilians and security personnel increasingly coming under direct attack by non-state armed groups.
Ojukwu noted that the situation amounts to a grave breach of the right to life, dignity and personal security as guaranteed under Nigeria’s Constitution and other binding human rights instruments. He maintained that the deliberate targeting of civilians and security forces remains unlawful and cannot be justified under any circumstance.
While acknowledging the sacrifices of the Armed Forces and other security agencies, the Commission stressed that the protection of civilians must sit at the heart of all security operations, not treated as an afterthought.
The NHRC called for the immediate development and implementation of a National Policy on the Protection of Civilians, anchored on human rights principles. It said such a framework should prioritise the prevention of civilian harm, ensure accountability for violations by both state and non-state actors, provide support and rehabilitation for victims, and strengthen early warning systems and community engagement in vulnerable areas.
Ojukwu added that military operations must strictly observe the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution, stressing that affected populations are not expendable and must be treated as citizens whose rights and dignity demand protection.
He said the Commission will continue to engage with relevant authorities and stakeholders to push for a response that protects lives while staying within the bounds of the law.
