COVID-19:RULAAC laments increased killing by security operatives

...Commend IG for ordering arrest of unruly officers

Stanley Ihedigbo

Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) have experienced worried concerning the increased killing of innocent Nigerians by the security agencies.

They also commended the Inspector General of Police for always rising to the occasion in promptly ordering the arrest of unruly officers and investigation of acts of brutality and misconduct.

Nwanguma

According to the Executive Director of the group, Comrade Okechukwu Nwanguma, after the National Human Rights Commission raised concerns about the high numbers of killings by law enforcement agents supposedly enforcing the lockdown imposed across.

He said that lockdown imposed across states in Nigeria in the wake of the outbreak of Covid-19, and the disturbing revelation that more citizens have been killed by law enforcement excesses and brutality than the ravaging virus, cases of killings, particularly by the Police have been on the increase with resultant unacceptable casualties.

RULAAC boss explained: ” From Anambra State where two persons were shot and one other citizen had two of his car tyres shot at and bursted by a member of a police team who demanded bribe from him but he refused to oblige them; to Abia State where one was shot dead, precipitating a riot and retaliatory attack and burning of a police Station and vehicles as well released of detainees in the cell by the rioting members of the community.

“To Osun State where police officers were seen on a trending video repeatedly flogging a lady, it’s been an increasing spate of police killings , brutality, reckless abuse of force and firearms,” he lamented.

The Human Rights activist commended that the Osun State Police Command has responded appropriately to the dastardly act of unprovoked and unjustifiable brutality in the State.

“I have read the statement issued by the Command condemning it as a ‘discreditable conduct’ and ‘reckless incivility against civilians’ and promised to ensure justice. The Command said the unruly officers have been arrested and are undergoing internal disciplinary procedure”, he said.

The Executive Director appealed to IGP: “We need to see the outcome of investigations into these cases and RULAAC and its partner-organisations across the states are monitoring and will keep documenting.

“It is regrettable that the youths in Ebem Ohafia went too far in taking laws into their hands by attacking and burning a police station , vehicles and releasing detainees. While we understand that police killings are capable of provoking public anger, uprisings and retaliatory attacks, which is why officers should always act professionally, responsibly and with restraint, and avoid abusing powers. We condemn the extreme actions taken by the youths. That violent response could lead to an escalation of the conflict and result to more loss of lives. We hope that urgent conciliatory and preventing measures are taken to prevent further escalation.

“In the case of Anambra, the difference we see is the apparent attempt by the Police Command to twist the facts, cover up and shield the Police killers. We need to ascertain, between the police and eye witnesses, who is lying. We have already called on the Governor of Anambra State to invoke his powers and set up an independent inquiry to go to the root of the matter to unravel the truth and recommend measures to ensure justice. A prevention of the repeat of that tragedy,” he emphasized.

He said that RULAAC commends the response of the IGP so far but calls on him to put in place an effective mechanism to monitor the conduct of police officers carrying out the duties of enforcement of lockdown across the state.

“The standard operating procedures spelling out the code of conducts and rules of engagement should be made available to the officers.

“Investigations into acts of deviation from the standards should be promptly, transparently and effectively carried out and appropriate legal sanctions imposed for deterrence,” he stressed.