Nigerians going through worst cost of living Crisis in 30 years …HRW Report

Share

Tweet

Share

Share

Email

Comments

BY Bonny Amadi

Nigeria and Nigerians are currently going through the worst form of high cost of living ever in 30 years, even as the government’s economic reforms have contributed to higher inflationary trends.

To worsen the plight of Nigerians, while the citizens cried out through protest against high cost of living and economic crisis, the government responded with unimaginable brutality against its own people, killing, maiming and taking many into prisons.

These were contained in the “world report” released Thursday by the Human Rights Watch (HRW) titled “West Africa: Civilians Unprotected in Conflicts, Crackdowns on Dissent, Civic Space; Fewer Opportunities for Justice” made available to our correspondent.

The report likened Nigeria and the Sahel, which is home to Kenya, in violation of rights of its citizens, saying that the authorities in the two regions used unchecked power to commit rights violations with impunity.

According to the report, “In Nigeria, economic reforms have contributed to high inflation, triggering the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in 30 years. Without a comprehensive, rights-based social security system, millions have been pushed deeper into poverty.

The authorities responded with a heavy hand to protests, killing several protesters and arresting and charging scores more”.

The report titled, “West Africa: Civilians Unprotected in Conflicts, Crackdowns on Dissent, Civic Space; Fewer Opportunities for Justice” stated that “armed groups and government forces in West Africa have committed atrocities with impunity in 2024, with thousands of dead and injured” said Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2025.

For the 546-page world report, in its 35th edition, Human Rights Watch reviewed human rights practices in more than 100 countries. In much of the world, Executive Director Tirana Hassan writes in her introductory essay, governments cracked down and wrongfully arrested and imprisoned political opponents, activists, and journalists. Armed groups and government forces unlawfully killed civilians, drove many from their homes, and blocked access to humanitarian aid. In many of the more than 70 national elections in 2024, authoritarian leaders gained ground with their discriminatory rhetoric and policies.