North Central Tops Human Rights Complaints in Nigeria — Report
The North Central region has emerged as Nigeria’s leading zone for human rights complaints, accounting for 41.4 percent of all cases recorded nationwide, according to new data released by monitoring agencies.
The figures, which highlight the regional distribution of alleged human rights violations, reveal a troubling concentration of cases in the country’s middle belt an area frequently affected by farmer-herder clashes, communal violence, and security operations.
According to the report, the North West follows with 19.7 percent of total complaints, while the North East accounts for 18.8 percent. The South East recorded 12.5 percent, with both the South South and South West contributing 3.8 percent each.
Analysts say the dominance of the North Central zone reflects its position at the crossroads of Nigeria’s ethno-religious and security crises.
States such as Benue, Plateau, and Nasarawa have in recent years witnessed recurrent violence, forced displacements, and allegations of rights abuses by both state and non-state actors.
A senior official at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the trend points to deep-seated governance and security challenges in the region.
“The North Central continues to record the highest complaints largely due to persistent communal conflicts, bandit attacks, and the impact of counter-insurgency operations,” the official said. “We’re seeing more cases of extra-judicial killings, unlawful detentions, and destruction of property.”
Civil society groups have called for stronger accountability mechanisms, urging both state and federal authorities to act on investigative reports rather than allowing abuses to go unpunished.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) described the figures as a “national wake-up call,” noting that widespread impunity remains a major obstacle to justice.
“These numbers reflect the failure of institutions to protect citizens,” Falana said. “Until perpetrators whether security agents or private actors
are held accountable, complaints will keep rising.”
The South’s relatively lower complaint rates, experts say, may not necessarily indicate fewer violations but could reflect underreporting due to fear, lack of access to justice, or limited awareness of rights mechanisms.
The NHRC says it is intensifying public awareness campaigns across all regions, alongside efforts to digitize its complaint-tracking system for faster response and transparency.
“Every region has its peculiar challenges,” the NHRC source added. “The goal now is not just to receive complaints but to resolve them through stronger enforcement and collaboration with relevant agencies.”
The new statistics come amid growing scrutiny of human rights practices in Nigeria, particularly concerning police conduct, detention conditions, and internal security operations in conflict-affected areas.
