Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, has expressed deep concern over what it describes as the deteriorating state of human-rights protection in Nigeria.
This is just as it warns that worsening insecurity, abuses by state agents, and socio-economic hardship continue to erode citizens’ dignity and freedom.
In a statement issued to commemorate the 2025 International Human Rights Day, CAPPA attributed the situation to systemic governance failures and called for decisive action to end impunity for human-rights violations across the country.
The organisation noted that Nigerians are increasingly exposed to insecurity, state neglect, and abuses of power, resulting in widespread deprivation and unhealed trauma.
According to the statement, 2025 has been characterised by worsening rights indicators, citing reports of 570 killings and 278 kidnappings recorded in April, as well as 275,256 complaints received by the National Human Rights Commission in May.
CAPPA also highlighted persistent cases of abductions, attacks on schools and communities, and violations of women’s and girls’ rights, accusing the state of repeatedly failing to prevent or redress such incidents.
It further lamented that civil and political rights continue to come under pressure, with peaceful protesters allegedly facing lethal force and arbitrary arrests.
At least 24 unarmed citizens were killed during the 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, the organisation said, adding that about 69 attacks on journalists have been documented in 2025, 74 per cent of which were attributed to state actors.
“When those charged with protecting rights become violators, democracy itself is endangered,” CAPPA warned.
The group stated that millions of Nigerians continue to struggle without access to safe water, healthcare, decent housing, or secure livelihoods, noting that rising inflation, insecurity, and the absence of social protection have created humanitarian and human rights emergencies.
CAPPA urged the Federal Government and relevant institutions to adopt urgent reforms that safeguard civic freedoms, strengthen oversight of security agencies, and guarantee citizens’ safety and dignity.
It said International Human Rights Day presents an opportunity for the country to reflect on its obligations and recommit to building a rights-respecting society.
The organisation encouraged government, civil society, and partners to pursue practical solutions that rebuild trust, close protection gap,s and empower Nigerians to live without fear or deprivation.