Human Rights Day
Rress Release
by Steven Obodokwe
Head of Programmes, Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD)
The Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development has called on all tiers of government to ensure that all lives are protected and those in kidnappers’ dens across the country are freed even as the nation faces the plagues of insecurity.
This call is made today, being the 10th of December, 2025, a day when the world celebrates the rights of all humans, no matter the race, tribe, status, or cultural differences. With the theme of this year being: Human Rights, Our Essentials, CEHRD is saddened by the fact that citizens of Nigeria now live in fear of being the next victim of hostage taking or kidnapping.
Available data have shown that over 7000 people were kidnapped last year alone, and currently, there are more cases of kidnapping in parts of Nigeria. Many have been gruesomely murdered by the terrorists who operate with impunity. These data reveal the increasing rate of insecurity in the nation.
it is more pathetic that the country which has failed woefully to handle its increasing insecurities can respond swiftly to defend the democracy of another sovereign State in a timely manner. it is in this view that CEHRD is calling on the Federal Government to strengthen the security structure to respond more swiftly in securing the lives and properties of its citizens. `
It is the responsibility of the government to secure the lives and properties of its citizens. Not doing so means that the government is failing in its first responsibility.
Right to adequate security and safety of human persons is a fundamental right as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as well as other human rights instruments. So are other human rights, including the right to life, freedom of expression and Assembly, free press, education, environment, health, religion, economic rights among others. Sadly, the governments of Nigeria at all levels have not only failed woefully to protect these rights, which are essential to human existence, but have watched while they are violated with reckless abandon.
As we join the human rights communities across the globe in reflecting on the state of human rights, we urge the international community to prevail on Nigeria to wake up to its responsibility of protecting human rights in the country.