Borno Sees 600 Instances of Human Rights Abuses Documented by NHRC

n n

The National Human Rights Commission in Borno has received over 600 cases of domestic violence, child abuse, human trafficking and other human rights violations between January and July 2026.

n

The State Coordinator of the NHRC, Ms Jummai Mshelia, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Maiduguri

n

Mshelia said this, underscoring the growing confidence of residents in the commission’s services.

n

According to her, the cases reported to the commission cut across a wide range of human rights concerns, including sexual and gender-based violence.

n

The coordinator listed other cases to include unlawful detention, child abandonment, child maltreatment, rape, sexual exploitation, forced marriage, kidnapping, human trafficking and domestic violence.

n

Mshelia said that domestic violence remains one of the most frequently reported violations, a development she attributed partly to increased awareness and public enlightenment carried out by the commission across the state.

n

“Many victims previously considered domestic violence a private family matter and were reluctant to speak out.

n

“Today, more people are willing to report such cases because they trust the commission and believe they can get justice,” the coordinator said.

n

Mshelia explained that the commission has also recorded several cases involving child abuse, neglect and abandonment.

n

She also said that poverty, displacement, inadequate parental care and domestic violence were major factors pushing children onto the streets.

n

Mshelia expressed concern over the growing number of vulnerable children engaged in street begging and other survival activities.

n

The NHRC coordinator urged parents and guardians to take greater responsibility for the welfare, education and emotional well-being of their children.

n

She revealed that many of the reported cases have been successfully resolved through mediation and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

n

“While others requiring criminal investigation or prosecution were referred to relevant agencies, including the Police and the Ministry of Justice,” she said.

n

Mshelia reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims and survivors of abuse, urging members of the public to report human rights violations promptly.

n

She also emphasised that all services provided by the NHRC remain free of charge and accessible to all residents across Borno State.

n

The coordinator said that a major challenge of the comnission was unavailability of operational vehicles, saying that this was affecting its service delivery.

n

(NAN)

n n