NHRC Reports 390 Killed, 202 Kidnapped in May 2026

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) reported a grim human rights situation in Nigeria for May 2026, with 390 people killed and 202 kidnapped. Dr.

Toni Ojukwu, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, characterized the month as devastating, noting a total of 268,787 rights complaints recorded nationwide. The report indicated that children, worshippers, and security personnel in rural communities were among the worst affected.

Specific incidents included the abduction of 45 pupils and a teacher in Oyo State and 40 schoolchildren in Borno State, raising serious concerns about compliance with constitutional guarantees for child protection and school safety. The NHRC condemned attacks on religious communities, which resulted in the deaths and abduction of 15 individuals during prayer sessions in Kwara State.

The report also acknowledged civilian casualties from military operations, urging the Nigerian Air Force to investigate allegations of civilian harm. Ojukwu emphasized the need for greater support for the armed forces and a coordinated approach to mitigate civilian harm during conflicts.