The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has strongly condemned the excessive use of force and blatant disregard for fundamental rights by law enforcement agencies during the #EndBadGovernance protests that took place nationwide last month. The protests, which called for improved governance and accountability, were marred by incidents of violence and loss of life.
Tony Ojukwu, SAN, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, made this declaration on Friday while presenting the Commission’s human rights situation dashboard. Ojukwu emphasized that the actions of security personnel represented a grave violation of the Nigerian people’s fundamental rights. He demanded clear condemnation and justice for the affected individuals.
“The #EndBadGovernance protest was a legitimate expression of the people’s demand for better governance,” Ojukwu stated, through his Special Assistant and head of Human Rights Monitoring, Mr. Benedict Agu. Agu also highlighted the alarming issue of displacement affecting numerous individuals and communities.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), approximately 208,655 people have been displaced across 22 states this year, a significant increase from 2023 figures.
“It is crucial for the government to implement immediate and sustainable measures to address this issue, ensuring the protection and well-being of those affected and preventing future displacements due to flooding and other causes,” Agu said.
The NHRC’s monthly human rights dashboard is a vital tool for assessing the state of human rights in Nigeria, providing critical insights and data that demand action. In the latest report, Mr. Hillary Ogbona, Senior Human Rights Adviser to the Executive Secretary, revealed that over 1,200 participants in the #EndBadGovernance protests have been arrested and detained.
Some have been charged, but the Commission is concerned about their prolonged detention before being formally taken to court.
The dashboard also reported 414,200 complaints of human rights abuses received in the past two months. Ogbona stressed that protest is a legitimate expression of grievance and should not be criminalized.
“Government should facilitate protests, not suppress them,” he said. “Looting and property destruction are criminal acts, not part of peaceful protests.”
The NHRC appealed to the government to assess and support victims of property damage during the protests and to address the underlying economic and political issues driving public discontent. The Commission also urged all levels of government to enhance their capacity to protect lives and property.
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Ogbona noted that the Commission is closely monitoring the legal proceedings against the protesters. He emphasized that if protesters are charged with treason, the government must present clear evidence.
The NHRC has also observed a troubling rise in mass killings, abductions, attacks on police stations, threats to press freedom, and violence against children and law enforcement.
Between July and August, the Commission recorded 365 kidnapping cases, 340 killings, and 4,300 cases of child abandonment. Additionally, 37 security and law enforcement personnel were killed, with Kaduna, Benue, Katsina, and Plateau states reporting the highest numbers of casualties.
