EGBELE (ESAN NORTH EAST) – The Justice Development, Peace and Caritas Initiatives (JDPCI) in Uromi has raised concern over rising human rights abuses in Edo Central Senatorial District, revealing that over 300 cases were recorded across communities last year.
The Executive Director of Uromi JDPCI, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Fidelis Arhedo, made the disclosure while delivering a keynote address at the Annual Stakeholders’ Conference on Inclusive Human Rights Defence Mechanism in Communities, held in Egbele, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Speaking on the theme, “Defending Human Rights at the Grassroots: The Power of Community-Based Legal Action,” Arhedo stressed the need for stronger commitment to the protection of human dignity, as well as the promotion of justice, peace and integral human development.
He noted that human rights violations occur daily across communities and called for greater collaboration among stakeholders to curb the trend.
According to him, community-based human rights structures intervened in over 300 cases, including 87 cases of domestic violence, 58 cases of neglect and abandonment, 28 cases of assault, 20 rape cases, and 16 incidents of child labour and trafficking.
Other abuses recorded include denial of education, harmful widowhood practices and arbitrary detention.
Arhedo further disclosed that 74 non-case-based interventions were carried out through advocacy visits and sensitization campaigns, while more than 320 support services—ranging from psychosocial counselling to referrals and alternative dispute resolution were provided.
He added that over 434 cases had been successfully resolved at the community level, a development he said reflects growing public trust in grassroots justice mechanisms driven by JDPCI.
The cleric also revealed that more than 2,200 individuals have been trained as human rights actors, over 2,300 adolescents engaged through Human Rights Clubs, and about 4,000 women and girls supported in addressing violence and inequality.
However, he lamented that worsening economic hardship continues to increase vulnerability, while entrenched cultural practices and rising case reporting are placing pressure on response systems.
In a progress report, the Head of Programme, Dr. Michael Iyioribhe, commended traditional rulers and the Nigeria Police for their support in tackling human rights violations across communities.
Also speaking, the Edo State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mr. Olumide Dosunmu, represented by Mrs. Laureatta Omorogbe lauded JDPCI’s efforts despite prevailing challenges and called for sustained support from stakeholders.
He emphasised that ignorance remains a major driver of rights violations.
“Many violations persist simply because people do not know their rights. Knowledge is the first line of defence. When people understand their constitutional rights and how to resist violations, they are empowered to seek redress,” he said.
Participants at the conference stressed the need for thorough investigation and diligent prosecution of cases to improve justice outcomes.
