The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) says there ha been massive killings aimed at Islamizing Nigeria by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist groups but not targeted at Christians alone.
Speaking while presenting the October 2025 Human Rights Situation Dashboard, a monthly evidence-based report used to track patterns of human rights violations nationwide, Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu while reacting to the threat by US President Donald Trump to invade Nigeria to smoke out terrorists involved in Christian genocide, said there was massive killings in Nigeria.
He said: “Ladies and gentlemen, permit me a moment to comment on recent diplomatic events relating to the United States threats to intervene in Nigeria’s internal affairs due to the killing of Christians in Nigeria.
“There is no doubt that conflicts and insurgency in Nigeria has led to the killings by religious extremists on Christian civilians in parts of Nigeria, it is important to highlight that citizen from other faiths have also been victims.
“As a Commission, we hold the view that no life should be lost to conflict or criminalities. The responsibility of Government to protect lives and properties in line with section 14(2) of the Constitution should be paramount.
“The threat from the United States should be seen as an opportunity to reform our approaches to terrorism and conflict in Nigeria, emphasising civilian protection and accountability for perpetrators. We should as a nation get the narrative correctly so that we can have the right diagnosis. Boko Haram and ISWAP have the ideology of Islamizing Nigeria. I don’t think there is any argument about that.
“Boko Haram and ISWAP believe some Nigerian Muslims are not true Muslims and therefore should be killed like other Christians, hence the attack on mosques and churches. This has led to the killing of Christians and Muslims who do not agree with Boko Haram. So the common enemy here is Boko Haram who is surely killing Christians and Muslims in Nigeria for religious reasons.
“The NHRC holds the view that rather than threats, the international community, including the United States should support the efforts of the Government of Nigeria and our Armed Forces to put an end to terrorism and religious extremism. Only through partnership and mutual respect can we fight terror and secure the lives and liberties of all Nigerians.
“We also note that the injunction from the United States is for the Government of Nigeria to take urgent steps to stop the killings. I believe the government is capable of taking such urgent steps that are required to stop the killings.”
Ojukwu said in October 2025, the NHRC received a total of 406,088 complaints and over 160 incidents of human rights violations were monitored.
He noted that complaints received by the NHRC continue to reflect concerns around freedom from arbitrary detention, police misconduct, access to justice, sexual and gender-based violence and violation of fundamental civil liberties.
Ojukwu said: “Our Observatory has recorded incidents of communal violence, insurgent attacks, and human rights abuses related to insecurity, which continue to affect communities disproportionately.
“In the month under review, we recorded a general drop in both killings and abductions compared to the previous month of September, a possible indication of the success of our Armed Forces and Security institutions.
“However, we still recorded alarming violence, killings and abductions reached alarming peaks, with hundreds of lives lost in coordinated attacks across Niger, Borno, Plateau, Kaduna, Kogi and Kwara states. Farmers, herders, women, children, and entire communities have suffered attacks and displacements. I must remind us that these are not statistics; they are Nigerian mothers, fathers, and children whose dignity has been violated.
“There is an urgent need for targeted interventions by both state and non-state actors to address these violations and protect vulnerable populations.”
He insisted that: “These findings underscore the importance of timely reporting, accountability, and institutional response. They also highlight that the protection of human rights is inseparable from national stability and development.”
The Dashboard, now in its 22nd month, serves as a tool for policy guidance, advocacy, and public accountability, offering detailed analysis of complaints received and incidents observed through the NHRC’s network of 38 state offices and its Human Rights Observatory.
Ojukwu said: “The Dashboard has become an indispensable tool for evidence-based advocacy, policy direction, and public accountability,” adding that “It provides a mirror to the state of our human rights situation as we continue to confront conflict, insecurity, and criminality.”
Michael Olugbode
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