526 killed, 949 kidnapped in 2024 violent attacks — Report

No fewer than 526 persons were killed in violent attacks and 949 others were kidnapped by criminal elements in various parts of the country, the Nigeria 2024 annual human rights report has revealed.

The report also captured attacks by criminal elements on security agents at checkpoints and other security formations, adding that incidents of insecurity across the country remain on the rise, evidenced by kidnapping, banditry, and communal clashes.

The Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Mr Clement Nwankwo, launched the report on Monday in Abuja in commemoration of the 2024 Human Rights Day celebrated on December 10.

According to Nwankwo, despite the protection of rights by Nigeria’s Constitution and international obligations, violations such as extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, police brutality, and unlawful detentions continue to undermine the rule of law.

Nwankwo noted that security agencies, tasked with maintaining law and order, have faced accusations of abusing their powers, with instances of harassment, extortion, and sexual violence by officials further eroding guaranteed rights.

“These issues point to systemic flaws in law enforcement that demand urgent reform and greater accountability,” the report read. “Victims of human rights abuse often face significant barriers to obtaining justice, including delays in prosecution and an overall lack of transparency in investigative processes.

“This culture of impunity not only exacerbates citizens’ frustrations but also hinders efforts to build a society based on justice and fairness.

“The Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, speaking at the National Legislative Forum on Human Rights, stated that the Commission receives over 2 million complaints of human rights violations annually.

“PLAC’s Human Rights Report also discusses the arbitrary arrest and detention of journalists and other individuals over utterances and publications alleged to have defamed the government or highly placed individuals, which continued in 2024.

“A provision of the law that has been used over the years to support these indiscriminate acts is Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act, which defines the offence of cyberstalking.

“The amendment of the Cybercrimes Act in February 2024, which has narrowed down the definition of cyberstalking, is a welcome development, as it can potentially reduce the use of the provision as a tool of oppression.”

According to the report, in 2024, socio-economic rights were also severely impacted, with rising petroleum prices and a weakening naira exacerbating inflation and the cost of living. Citizens expressed frustration during the #EndBadGovernance protests in August.

The report also noted the vulnerability of children, with cases of trafficking, forced labour and abduction continuing. Gender-based violence, including domestic abuse and targeted killings, also remains prevalent.

It continued: “In 2024, the socio-economic rights of citizens were further eroded by the continuous increase in the price of petroleum products and the poor performance of the naira in the foreign exchange market, which contributed to the rise in the prices of goods and services across the country.

“Citizens came out in their numbers in states of the Federation to register their displeasure at the deteriorating economic situation in the #EndBadGovernance protests in August 2024.

“PLAC’s annual human rights report also highlights violations against vulnerable groups. The incidents documented reveal the prevalence of child trafficking, abduction, and forced labour, which continue to deprive countless children of their rights to safety, education, and dignity.

“Another aspect of violations against vulnerable groups is Gender-based Violence (GBV). The cases documented in this report shed light on the multifaceted nature of gender-based violence, which ranges from domestic abuse and rape to targeted killings, affecting victims across all socio-economic and cultural divides.

“Twenty-eight (28) incidents of trafficking, as well as domestic and sexual violence across the country, are recorded in PLAC’s report.

“This is a fraction of numerous incidents against vulnerable groups that occur, some of which go unreported.”

He called on the government to carefully make policies that will effectively address poverty alleviation, create jobs, and improve educational opportunities, as well as address rising inflation in the country.

“The government at all levels should decisively strategise to address issues of insecurity to ensure the protection of the lives and property of Nigerians.

“To tackle violations against vulnerable groups, the federal and state governments should ensure full domestication and implementation of the Child Rights Act and Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act across all states.”