NHRC Promotes Legislation Banning Cultism In Schools

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for strict legislation prohibiting cultism in the country’s educational institutions.

The Commission, apparently concerned about the rise of cultism in the country’s tertiary institutions, stated that legislation should be enacted in such a way that it does not jeopardise student rights to form societies and organisations that promote human rights, intellectual curiosity, and diversity.

The Commission’s position was expressed in Friday in Abuja by Mr. Hillary Ogbona,
the Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, while presenting the monthly human rights dashboard on human rights for the month of April.

He said the issue in focus in the month of April was cultism, saying that, over 20 cultism related deaths were recorded in three states of the Federation.

He stated that cultism, particularly in higher education institutions, has long been a problem in the country, and that secret society movements based on violence, intimidation, criminal behaviour, and other bizarre and illegal activities not only pose a serious threat to peace and security, but also pose a significant challenge to affected communities’ enjoyment of fundamental human rights.

He promised that the NHRC remains committed to addressing the issue with a firm commitment to protecting and promoting human rights.

He explained that: “The right to life and security which should be protected by the state faces significant threats in a society plagued by cultism. Cult-related violence leads to loss of innocent lives, shattered families and devastated communities as cultists operate with impunity.”

The dashboard showed that a total of 2011 killings was recorded in the month April, out of which, 82 are attributed to bandits alone, while 99 cases of kidnapping were recorded with North -West region leading with 74 in April and added that, 13 security and law enforcement agents were also killed in the month of April.

Ogbona called on government at all levels to rise up to their responsibility in protecting the lives and properties of the citizens of the country, saying that, “The cycle of violence perpetuated by cultism erodes trust and undermines the right to a secure and peaceful society.

“We also call on all security agencies to step up protection of human life in accordance with Section 4(2)(b) of the Constitution,” he said, adding that relevant authorities should ensure that schools and streets are safe for the public.

Speaking earlier, the NHRC boss expressed the Commission’s commitment to making accessible, information on human rights and will continue to cooperate with government at all levels, civil society, media, international development partners towards the promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights in Nigeria.

He said the dashboard will assist the government in keeping track of its obligations to national, regional and international human rights instruments and mechanisms.

He stated, “We have been submitting this report to the National Assembly and the government of Nigeria on an annual basis, and this document has served as a reference material for all interested persons and authorities seeking insight into the status of human rights in Nigeria.”