The National Human Rights Commission said human rights violation complaints in Nigeria grew to 261,483 in April 2025.
The executive secretary of NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, made the disclosure on Friday.
Ojukwu noted that killings and kidnappings topped the cases of human rights violations in the month in view.
He then lamented the surge in human rights abuses following the attacks in Plateau and Benue States in April.
In his assessment, hundreds of Nigerians have lost their lives and others have been injured due to attacks across the country’s Middle Belt region.
He therefore called on the federal and state governments, as well as other respective authorities, to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of human rights cases in the Benue, Playeau and other states.
“In April 2025, there were 261,483 complaints. Why this number is significant: It represents only the visible portion of a much deeper situation.
“The killings in Plateau and Benue States, as well as the resurgence of Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks in Borno, have left hundreds of citizens injured and dead.
“The crisis in the Middle Belt is not new but has continued for decades without a solution.
“We call for an independent, impartial, prompt investigation of all the cases stated.
“Support services for all victims. Accountability for all perpetrators, and sustained investment in all peacebuilding.
“The commission stated that the right to life is non-negotiable.”
The NHRC also pointed out that human rights complaints increased by 20 percent on a month-on-month basis, with 35 percent prevalence in the middle belt region.
In the estimation of the agency, which completed 863 complaints and petitions of human rights violations in the period under review, Benue, Plateau and Borno States have 60 percent of killings in Nigeria in April.