NHRC Raises Alarm Over Worsening IDP Crisis as 5,048 Human Rights Violations Recorded in Two Months

Children hardest hit as education, healthcare, and basic survival needs collapse across Nigeria’s displacement camps

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By A1 News International | Abuja, Nigeria – April 2, 2026

Nigeria’s humanitarian crisis is deepening, with fresh data from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) revealing over 5,000 human rights violations affecting internally displaced persons (IDPs) within just two months.

The Commission’s January–February 2026 Human Rights Dashboard highlights a deteriorating protection environment, particularly for children, amid persistent insecurity and systemic neglect.

Over 10,000 Displaced Persons Reached Amid Growing Crisis

The NHRC disclosed that its Human Rights Monitors engaged 10,884 IDPs across 3,754 households within the reporting period. Alarmingly, children accounted for 6,003 individuals—representing 36 percent of the total affected population.

Benue and Borno states recorded the highest concentration of displaced persons, with 4,178 and 3,411 IDPs respectively. The Commission attributed the surge to sustained attacks on farming communities in Benue and continued insurgency-driven violence in Borno, both of which have crippled livelihoods and forced mass displacement.

Cross section of participants at the first Human Rights Dashboard presentation for 2026.

Education Collapse Tops List of Violations

Access to education emerged as the most critical human rights concern, with 2,851 cases recorded—2,351 of them in Yobe State alone.

The NHRC described the situation as “catastrophic,” warning of long-term societal consequences if urgent interventions are not implemented.

Healthcare access followed, with 837 cases linked to inadequate medical personnel, lack of drugs, and the inability of displaced persons to afford treatment.

the first Human Rights Dashboard presentation for 2026.

Food, Shelter, and Survival at Breaking Point

The report documented 661 cases of violations related to socio-economic rights, particularly access to food and shelter.

States such as Yobe and Kano were identified as hotspots of acute deprivation, reflecting what the Commission termed a “severe survival crisis” among displaced populations.

Rising Gender-Based Violence and Child Protection Concerns

The NHRC recorded 156 cases of gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, sexual exploitation, and economic deprivation.

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Additionally, 244 child protection cases were reported, covering issues such as abandonment, lack of birth registration, and denial of education.

Security and Detention Conditions Remain Fragile

A total of 387 safety and security-related cases were documented, with Adamawa, Benue, and Kano among the most affected states.

The Commission also conducted 69 monitoring visits to detention facilities, reaching 362 detainees. Key concerns included prolonged detention, poor sanitation, and inadequate feeding—particularly in Taraba and Benue.

Interventions and Gaps

Out of the 5,048 recorded cases, NHRC directly resolved 329, while 4,719 were referred to relevant government agencies for further action.

The Commission also carried out 502 community outreach programmes, reaching over 9,000 individuals with awareness on human rights, gender-based violence prevention, and reporting mechanisms.

Despite these efforts, operational challenges persist, including rising transportation costs and security risks in volatile regions.

Call for Urgent Government Action

The NHRC stressed the need for stronger coordination among federal, state, and local authorities to address the crisis. Key recommendations include:

Scaling up protection services for children and GBV survivors
Addressing documentation gaps affecting refugees and asylum seekers
Improving detention oversight and access to justice
Aligning humanitarian, development, and peace-building efforts

Hope in New Legal Framework

The Commission welcomed the recent presidential assent to the African Union Convention on the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons, expressing optimism that it would strengthen legal protections and policy responses.

The NHRC warned that without urgent, coordinated intervention, Nigeria’s displacement crisis could spiral further, leaving millions—especially children—trapped in cycles of poverty, insecurity, and rights violations.