United Nations, has said that preliminary data indicates that no fewer than 950 human rights defenders, journalists and trade unionists were killed or forcibly disappeared worldwide in 2025.

The figure was contained in the latest global dataset documenting attacks on rights defenders titled: “Human Rights Count.”

It was published by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, OHCHR.

According to the data, one human rights defender, journalist, or trade unionist is killed or disappeared every 10 hours.

“Every 10 hours, a human rights defender, journalist or trade unionist is killed or disappeared,” the report stated, adding: “Every hour, a child dies in armed conflict.

“One in five people have experienced discrimination in the past year.”

Projected totals for 2025 indicate that at least 743 defenders were killed and 202 disappeared, with no sign of reversal in the upward trend.

At least 37,163 civilians lost their lives in 2025, from a record high of 48,011 in the preceding year.

It said: “Every 14 minutes, a civilian dies in armed conflict. Nearly one in five people worldwide indicate that they have experienced discrimination in the past 12 months.”

OHCHR lamented that violence against human rights defenders has reached record levels, with at least 5,995 killed since 2015.

According to the UN rights agency, violence against human rights defenders has reached record levels, with at least 5,995 killed since 2015.

It said the number of human rights defenders who were murdered or disappeared in 2025 was more than double the number a decade ago.

According to the report, attacks against human right defenders have reached record levels over the past year.

OHCHR regretted a surge in attacks on defenders, civilian deaths in conflicts, patterns of discrimination worldwide and the state of institutions tasked with protecting universal human rights.

According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, behind every data point is a real life lived or lost.

Turk said: “These new global human rights data show that discrimination, violence and exclusion are systemic and continue to affect those already at the margins.”

In a statement issued Wednesday from Langerfeld, Germany, IPoB said Kanu approved the dissolution of the outgoing administration and appointed United States-based Mazi Chris Nwaogu as the new Head of the Directorate of State.

According to the statement, Nwaogu is to assume immediate responsibility for the administration, coordination, and day-to-day management of the organisation’s affairs under Kanu’s authority.

The group explained that the Directorate of State, established in 2012, serves as the administrative arm of IPOB.

Previous heads of the body were Dr Justin Akujieze, Mazi Uchenna Asiegbu, and Chika Edoziem, who led the third administration from 2017.

IPOB said the decision followed what it described as a review of the performance of the outgoing leadership during a critical period in the movement’s history.

The statement cited concerns over the welfare of detained members, internal disagreements, organisational cohesion, communication challenges, and the need for renewed strategic direction as factors behind the leadership change.

“The dissolution of the third administration is ultimately not an act of vengeance but an act of organisational renewal,” the statement said.

The group maintained that the new leadership has been mandated to rebuild confidence within the organisation, strengthen internal unity, improve communication structures, and focus on the welfare of members.

As part of the reorganisation, IPOB announced the establishment of an Elders Advisory Council, which it said would function as a strategic advisory body between the group’s leader and the Directorate of State.

The newly constituted Directorate includes Mazi Solomon Egbo as Deputy Head of DOS; Nwada Ogwu Nnennaya Anya I. as Head of Finance and Budget Planning; Mazi Chigozie Okekenta as Coordinator of Coordinators; Dr. Chukwudi Nwogwugwu as Head of Medical and Welfare Planning; and Barrister Ikechukwu Onuoha as Head of Media.

IPOB also retained Comrade Emma Powerful as Spokesperson and Media and Publicity Secretary, while naming representatives for Africa, Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East.

In addition, the organisation announced several national appointments, including coordinators for Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.

The statement further directed all IPOB officers, coordinators, and unit heads worldwide to establish contact with the group’s headquarters in Germany for further directives.

IPOB also announced the reinstatement of previously suspended or expelled officers, stating that affected individuals had been reintegrated into the organisation pending further administrative review.The group urged members and supporters to remain united and committed as the new administration assumes office.“The day-to-day affairs of the Indigenous People of Biafra shall henceforth be piloted by Mazi Chris Nwaogu and his team in accordance with the directives and vision of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” the statement added.

The leadership changes come amid ongoing efforts by the pro -Biafra group to re-organise its structures and activities both within Nigeria and across its international chapters.