NHRC laments resurgence, escalation of violent attacks on security operatives
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday lamented the resurgence and escalation of deadly violence especially on the vigilance groups in different parts of Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Dr Tony Ojukwu SAN raised concern in his speech at the presentation of the month of July dashboard and observatory report in Abuja.
Ojukwu said in Sokoto, 15 men were killed in a reprisal attack by suspected members of Lakurawa and in Kebbi, a similarly tragic pattern emerged, with three police officers losing their lives in a failed abduction attempt.
He said that the commission received a total number of 331,035 complaints in the month of July.
“The most prevalent issues this month is related to law enforcement and human dignity, freedom, discrimination from economic, social and cultural rights,’’ he said.
He said these were not new issues, but their persistence underscores systemic problems which cannot be normalised.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the month of July represents the deadliest for vigilance groups in the country with a fatality of almost a hundred deaths.
“The role of vigilance in supporting our security and armed forces in the field of battle should not be lost on us.
“Their decimation portends danger for our collective security and the enjoyment of our liberties.
“These are not isolated incidents; they represent a failure of security, justice and accountability,” he said.
Ojukwu said there was an increase in targeted killings of law enforcement agents, frequent kidnappings and killings by bandits.
He noted the brazen acts of violence by cultist groups and widespread violations of the right to life, particularly in communities already vulnerable due to conflict and poverty.
He thanked all the stakeholders and their supportive partners for their partnership.
Speaking, Adwoa Kufuor, senior human rights adviser to UN Resident Coordinator and the United Nations country team recognised that no country alone can resolve many of the challenges they face today.
“It is about partnership and that is why the UN in Nigeria will continue to support not only the NHRC, but also the government of Nigeria and in securing their rights.
“This dashboard has been an immense source of information for us, to be able to understand what is happening at the national level with regards to human rights.
“And again, we want to commend the NHRC for taking this work forward,” she said.
Mrs Victoria Orakwe, Assistant Director, Legal Services, Police Service Commission (PSC) believed that the armed forces, all the security agencies, should be involved in the discussion.
“I encourage you to reach out to all the security agencies. Let them come and hear. It makes us move forward, when they hear by themselves, that will further enhance security of the nation, which is paramount to everyone,” she said.
