The Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Lagos State, Mr Lucas Koyejo, has advised residents in the state to speak out whenever their rights are violated.

Koyejo gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, on Friday, on the sidelines of a road walk to mark the International Day for Human Rights.

The UN had declared Dec.10 annually as International Day for Human Rights after the Second World War in 1948.

The theme for the 2021 International Day for Human Rights is “All Equal, All Human”.

The coordinator said that the commission in recent times had received more petitions than in the past due to increased awareness about human rights by more people.

“In Lagos state, there is increase in awareness about human rights, which explains the increase in number of petitions we are getting from people and organisations.

“Not as if the violations have not been there before, may be, people were not protesting, but now, many people are speaking out. More people are bringing complaints to the commission now.

“People now know places to go to complain. They have voices, they have the social media. There is more access to the media that can help voice their violations. This is making people to be aware of what is going on,” he said.

Koyejo commended the state Ministry of Women Affairs, Youths and Social Development, Domestic and Sexual violence Agency, security agencies and the Ministry of Justice for their support to fight human rights violations.

He urged the people to be vigilant with a view to protect their rights, stressing that those whose rights have been violated should also talk to the commission, relevant agencies and the media.