The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Borno has received over 600 cases of domestic violence, child abuse, human trafficking and other human rights violations between January and July 2026.
The State Coordinator of the NHRC, Ms Jummai Mshelia, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Maiduguri
Mshelia said this underscoring the growing confidence of residents in the commission’s services.
According to her, the cases reported to the commission cut across a wide range of human rights concerns, including sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
The coordinator listed other cases to include unlawful detention, child abandonment, child maltreatment, rape, sexual exploitation, forced marriage, kidnapping, human trafficking and domestic violence.
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.
“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,” the coordinator said.
Mshelia explained that the commission has also recorded several cases involving child abuse, neglect and abandonment.
She also said that poverty, displacement, inadequate parental care and domestic violence were major factors pushing children onto the streets.
Mshelia expressed concern over the growing number of vulnerable children engaged in street begging and other survival activities.
The NHRC coordinator urged parents and guardians to take greater responsibility for the welfare, education and emotional well-being of their children.
She revealed that many of the reported cases have been successfully resolved through mediation and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
“While others requiring criminal investigation or prosecution were referred to relevant agencies, including the Police and the Ministry of Justice,” she said.
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.
She also emphasised that all services provided by the NHRC remain free of charge and accessible to all residents across Borno State.
The coordinator said that a major challenge of the comnission was unavailability of operational vehicles, saying that this was affecting its service delivery. (NAN)
