The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sounded the alarm over the alarming number of road accident fatalities in Nigeria, revealing that approximately 1,471 deaths occurred in the first quarter of 2024. This shocking statistic was reported by the Federal Road Safety Corps and the National Bureau of Statistics.

During the 8th edition of the Monthly Human Rights Dashboard in Abuja on Tuesday, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN), the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, emphasized the urgent need for the government and the FRSC to implement immediate and effective measures to tackle this crisis and enhance the safety of all motorists in the country.

Ojukwu also addressed recent protests, referencing the #EndBadGovernance and #FearlessInOctober movements. He expressed deep concern over the excessive use of force and tear gas by law enforcement against demonstrators, highlighting that such actions constitute serious violations of citizens’ fundamental human rights.

The NHRC’s dashboard for September indicated a staggering 305,300 complaints received in just that month, marking a significant rise in human rights concerns across the nation.

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“A major issue we are highlighting today is the tragic loss of lives due to road accidents, which severely undermines the enjoyment of human rights for many families,” Ojukwu stated. He reiterated the critical nature of the data, stressing that each reported incident represents a person whose rights and dignity are jeopardized.

As the Commission delves into this data, Ojukwu urged stakeholders, including the media, to continue advocating for the rights of vulnerable populations. He underscored the importance of the dashboard in tracking human rights violations in Nigeria, serving as a vital resource for promoting justice and protection for all citizens.

Acknowledging support from the United Nations Development Programme and various international partners, Ojukwu reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to fostering accountability and transparency in its efforts to combat human rights violations nationwide.