The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has confirmed plans to begin systematic documentation and monitoring of violence against journalists as part of renewed efforts to protect media professionals and promote press freedom in the country.
The disclosure came to the fore during a media parley in Abuja, yesterday, to mark the 30th anniversary of the commission and unveiling of the organisation’s 30th logo.
NHRC’s Executive Secretary, Dr Tony Ojukwu (SAN), reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to defending the rights of journalists, describing attacks on media practitioners as “attacks on democracy and the public’s right to know.”
He said: “The Commission strongly condemns any attempts at shrinking the civic space, the increasing wave of violence, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests targeting journalists across the country.
“Going forward, the Commission will intensify its efforts to monitor and document violations against journalists, while deepening collaboration with media organisations, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), civil society, and international partners.”
According to the NHRC, the initiative would include enhanced safety awareness programmes and the establishment of rapid response mechanisms for the protection of journalists.
The parley also featured a representative of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Dr Oluseyi Soremekun, who facilitated a special session on “understanding the intersectionality of inclusive MIL, information integrity and human rights.”
In their goodwill messages, dignitaries, including representatives of the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN), commended the NHRC for three decades of promoting and defending human rights in Nigeria.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, praised the commission as “a vital bridge between citizens and government,” pledging continued EU support for its mission to align national laws with international human rights standards.
Similarly, the UN Secretary-General’s representative, Mohammed Tall, lauded the NHRC’s evolution from “a promise in law” to “a modern institution driving accountability, inclusion, and equality.”
SIMILARLY, the commission affirmed receipt of 406,088 human rights complaints and more than 160 monitored incidents of violation across the federation in October.
According to its Human Rights Situation Dashboard presented in Abuja yesterday, the NHRC regrets that Abuja, Benue and Bornu led in child rights abuses.
Delivering the presentation, Ojukwu said the figures reflect ongoing challenges with sexual and gender-based violence, police misconduct, arbitrary detention, and violations of civil liberties nationwide.
“These are not mere statistics; they are Nigerian mothers, fathers, and children whose dignity has been violated,” he stated, calling for urgent government and community intervention to protect vulnerable populations. The October report highlighted several disturbing cases of rape and sexual assault in several states.
