NHRC Records Over 600 Human Rights Violation Cases in Borno Within Seven Months

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Borno State has recorded more than 600 cases of domestic violence, child abuse, human trafficking and other human rights violations between January and July 2026.

The NHRC State Coordinator, Ms. Jummai Mshelia, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Maiduguri, attributing the increase in reported cases to growing public confidence in the commission’s services.

According to Mshelia, the cases covered a broad spectrum of human rights violations, including sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), unlawful detention, child abandonment, child maltreatment, rape, sexual exploitation, forced marriage, kidnapping, human trafficking and domestic violence.

She said domestic violence remained one of the most frequently reported violations, noting that sustained public awareness campaigns by the commission had encouraged more victims to come forward.

“Many victims previously considered domestic violence a private family matter and were reluctant to speak out. Today, more people are willing to report such cases because they trust the commission and believe they can get justice,” she said.
Mshelia added that the commission had also handled numerous cases involving child abuse, neglect and abandonment.

She identified poverty, displacement, inadequate parental care and domestic violence as major factors contributing to the increasing number of children living on the streets, begging or engaging in other survival activities.

The NHRC coordinator called on parents and guardians to take greater responsibility for the welfare, education and emotional well-being of their children to help curb the growing trend.

She disclosed that many of the reported cases had been successfully resolved through mediation and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, while cases requiring criminal investigation or prosecution were referred to relevant agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Ministry of Justice.

Mshelia reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims and survivors of abuse and urged residents to promptly report human rights violations.
She also emphasised that all services provided by the NHRC are free of charge and accessible to all residents across Borno State.

Highlighting operational challenges, Mshelia said the commission’s activities were being hampered by the lack of operational vehicles, a situation she noted was affecting effective service delivery across the state.