The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has reaffirmed its commitment to preventing torture, protecting the dignity of persons deprived of liberty, and ensuring justice and effective remedies for victims of torture across Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, made the commitment in a statement issued on Friday to commemorate the 2026 International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
Ojukwu joined the global community in honouring victims and survivors of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, paid tribute to their resilience and determination to pursue justice despite the physical, emotional and psychological trauma they have suffered.
He described torture as one of the gravest violations of human rights and human dignity, stressed that the practice is absolutely prohibited under international human rights law, Nigeria’s Constitution, and the Anti-Torture Act 2017.
According to him, no circumstance, including national security concerns, states of emergency, crime prevention efforts or counter-terrorism operations, can justify the use of torture or other forms of ill-treatment.
The NHRC boss noted that Nigeria has strengthened safeguards against torture through the Anti-Torture Act and the designation of the Commission as the country’s National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) under the 2024 Order.
He explained that in carrying out its NPM mandate, the Commission conducts regular and unannounced visits to detention facilities, correctional centres, health institutions and other places where people are deprived of their liberty to prevent torture and ensure respect for the rights of detainees.
While acknowledging the progress made, Ojukwu expressed concern over persistent reports of excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests and detention, prolonged pre-trial detention, poor detention conditions, denial of access to legal representation, and allegations of torture and ill-treatment.
He warned that such practices undermine the rule of law, erode public confidence in public institutions and violate Nigeria’s human rights obligations.
The Executive Secretary called on law enforcement agencies, security institutions, correctional authorities and all custodial bodies to uphold constitutional safeguards and international human rights standards in the treatment of persons in their custody.
He also urged authorities to ensure prompt and impartial investigation of torture allegations, accountability for perpetrators, and access to effective remedies for victims, including rehabilitation, compensation, restitution and guarantees of non-repetition.
“As Nigeria’s National Human Rights Institution and National Preventive Mechanism, the Commission remains committed to strengthening preventive safeguards, promoting accountability and ensuring that every person, regardless of status or circumstance, is treated with dignity and respect,” he said.
Ojukwu further called on government institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to renew their collective commitment to ending torture in all its forms and building a society founded on human dignity, justice and respect for fundamental rights.
He emphasised that eliminating torture is not only a legal obligation but also a moral imperative, adding that no victim should be denied justice or suffer violations of their human dignity without accountability.
