… Says 1,255 Cases Linked To Relatives, 630 Tied To Religious Leaders
…Warns Of “Betrayal Of Trust” As Violence Rises Nationwide
Daud Olatunji
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised alarm over a sharp rise in gender-based violence (GBV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) in Nigeria, disclosing that 2,755 cases were recorded nationwide between January and April 2026.
The Commission said the figure, averaging more than 20 reported incidents daily, signals a deepening protection crisis for women, girls and other vulnerable groups, with a significant number of perpetrators found within homes and religious institutions.
The disclosure was made on Thursday in Abuja during a National Consultative Workshop on GBV and IPV programming under the Global Fund Grant Cycle 8 (GC8), organised with support from international development partners and Nigerian government agencies.
… Family, Religious Spaces Emerge Major Hotspots
According to the NHRC, 1,255 of the recorded cases were allegedly committed by family members, while 630 involved religious leaders.
The Commission described the findings as a “disturbing betrayal of trust,” warning that environments traditionally regarded as safe are increasingly becoming centres of abuse.
Officials also linked the rising cases to worsening insecurity across the country, including insurgency in the North-East and banditry in other regions, which they said has heightened the vulnerability of women and girls to exploitation and violence.
… “GBV Is Not Just Statistics” — NHRC
The Executive Secretary of the NHRC cautioned against treating gender-based violence as mere data, stressing the need for stronger prevention systems and improved survivor support services.
“We don’t want to treat them as mere statistics or human rights data. Effective programming requires prevention systems, accessible reporting channels, quality health and psychosocial support services, legal protection, and accountability for perpetrators,” the Commission said.
It added that weak institutional coordination and inadequate funding continue to undermine Nigeria’s national response to GBV.
… International Partners Warn Of Weak Enforcement
The workshop brought together stakeholders, including the UNDP, UNAIDS, UNFPA, the Global Fund, as well as Nigeria’s Ministries of Justice, Health, and Women Affairs.
Development partners noted that although Nigeria has strong legal frameworks on GBV, enforcement remains weak and fragmented, allowing widespread impunity.
UNAIDS Country Director, Krittayawan Tina Boonto, said official statistics likely represent only a fraction of actual cases, warning that underreporting remains a major challenge.
… Violence Worsens HIV, TB Burden — Officials
Senior government officials also raised concerns over the link between GBV and Nigeria’s worsening HIV and tuberculosis (TB) burden.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Oyedepo Iseoluwa Rotimi, SAN, said structural barriers, stigma and discriminatory practices continue to discourage vulnerable groups from accessing healthcare.
He noted that key populations—less than five per cent of Nigeria’s population—account for about 40 per cent of new HIV infections, describing the trend as structurally driven.
Rotimi also warned that correctional facilities remain high-risk environments for TB transmission due to overcrowding and prolonged detention of suspects awaiting trial.
… Women Living With HIV Face Double Stigma
UNDP Gender Lead, Onyinye Belinda Ndubuisi, said women living with HIV continue to face discrimination, violence and social exclusion, particularly after diagnosis during antenatal care.
She said many women are forced into silence due to fear of stigma and accusations of infidelity.
“When a woman tests positive, fear sets in. Society quickly labels her, and that should not be the case,” she said.
Ndubuisi urged stronger coordination among government institutions and development partners, stressing that GBV must be treated as a structural development challenge rather than a secondary issue.
Stakeholders at the workshop agreed that Nigeria’s GBV response remains underfunded, fragmented and poorly coordinated, warning that survivors continue to fall through institutional gaps.
They said outcomes from the consultation will feed into Nigeria’s Global Fund Grant Cycle 8 submission, which will determine funding priorities for HIV, TB and malaria programmes.
Participants also called for stronger integration of GBV prevention into healthcare systems, improved forensic services for survivors, and expanded support within correctional facilities.
They warned that without urgent reforms and measurable commitments, Nigeria risks deepening what they described as a “silent national emergency” of gender-based violence.
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