The National Human Rights Commission has expressed grave concern over the increasing number of road fatalities in Nigeria, revealing that 1,471 deaths were recorded in the first quarter of 2024 alone.
The alarming figures, provided by the Federal Road Safety Corps and the National Bureau of Statistics, were highlighted during the 8th edition of the Monthly Human Rights Dashboard presentation in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to The PUNCH, Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN) urged the government and the FRSC to take urgent and long-term measures to address the crisis on Nigerian roads.
He stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of all motorists across the country.
“Tragic loss of lives due to road accidents undermines the fundamental human rights of many families,” Dr. Ojukwu stated.
“The data provided by the FRSC and NBS show that approximately 1,471 individuals lost their lives in the first quarter of 2024 alone, and this demands immediate action.”
Dr. Ojukwu also raised concerns over the excessive use of force during protests, referencing the #EndBadGovernance and #FearlessInOctober movements.
He criticized law enforcement’s use of tear gas and force against peaceful demonstrators, noting that such actions constitute severe violations of citizens’ fundamental rights.
Turning to the September Human Rights Dashboard, Ojukwu revealed that the Commission received 305,300 complaints in the month of September alone, representing a sharp rise in human rights concerns across the country.
“Each of these complaints reflects a person whose rights and dignity are at stake,” he said.
