At the national level, the Chapter IV (Section 33 to 44) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria discusses the following fundamental rights: rights to life; right to dignity of human persons; right to personal liberty; right to fair hearing; right to private and family life; right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; right to freedom of expression and the press; right to peaceful assembly and association; right to freedom of movement; right to freedom from discrimination; right to acquire and own immovable property; and compulsory acquisition of property.

Unfortunately, despite all laws and documents, human rights are still abused and violated. Well, we must not forget that there are limitations to certain human rights. Among them are: death sentence (limitation to right to life); convictions, curfew, and restrictions on movement (limitations to right to freedom of movement); laws against slander, libel, and sedition (limitations to right to freedom of expression); proscription on certain groups and secret societies (limitation to right to peaceful assembly and association); and banning of possession of some weapons, arms, ammunition (limitation to right to acquire and own property); among others.

Moving further, the most serious human rights violations in Nigeria currently are done by terrorists, bandits, militants, and killer herdsmen. Their heinous acts result in killings, bombings, forced evictions, mass displacements, and destructions of private and public properties. In an attempt to halt these acts, actions of security forces also result in other sets of human rights violations such as arbitrary arrests, accidental discharges, unjust detentions, killings, and torture.

Police brutality, unlawful bans, use of excessive force, and harassment of activists, peaceful protesters, and political opponents are common instances of human rights abuses. These abuses have denied citizens their civil and political rights. Journalists, investigators and media professionals were not spared too. A recent occurrence was in August 2020 when a former Aviation Minister; Femi Fani-Kayode verbally assaulted a journalist in Calabar, Cross River State. This is a serious abuse of the right to freedom of expression and the journalistic ethics.

Another serious instance of human rights violation is the attack on school children. Education in Nigeria, particularly the Northern Nigeria, is under attack. Between December 2020 and February 2021, more than three cases of abductions of school children were recorded. On 11th December, 2020, 344 schoolboys were kidnapped at Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State. The second abduction took place on February 17, 2021 at Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State, 42 persons were kidnapped. The third abduction which happened on the 26th of February, 2021, was the abduction of 279 girls from Government Girls Science Secondary School, Jangebe, Zamfara State. Thank God, all the abductees have been freed and united with their families. It was reported that some students have not returned to school due to the attacks, and that may be an end of education of such children.

Child marriage (marriage before the age of 18) is another violation of human rights, but unfortunately, it is prevalent nowadays, most especially, in the Northern Nigeria. Child marriage denies girls their rights, and even drive them into experiences that they lack the capacity to withstand. Child marriage affects male children too. Another violation of child’s rights is child labour. Child labour and slavery exposes youngsters to hazardous acts that may affect them intellectually, physically, socially, morally, and mentally. It is even likely to interfere with their education and overall development. Other violations of child’s rights are child trafficking, child slavery, sexual abuse, excessive beating, child abandonment, street hawking, disregard for persons with disabilities, begging, and using of children for thuggery and hooliganism.

Banning the use of hijab by some educational institutions is a violation of the right of Muslim women to practise their religion. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 18), the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (Section 38), and other similar human rights instruments allow every person to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance, but in many cases, authorities infringe on this fundamental right. Similar to this is the compulsion of (a) religious discipline(s) or practice(s) on students that do not believe in such belief.

Discrimination of persons on the basis of ethnic, region, and religion is another means of violation of human rights. Many of the killer herdsmen, for example, are known to be Fulanis, so that has given some persons the courage to regard all Fulani herdsmen as killers, and that is wrong, a violation of their rights. Criminalism is not the signature of a particular ethnic or region, and an entire ethnic group shouldn’t be characterised with it. As regards religious discrimination, there are instances where persons are molested and humiliated because of their belief or religious practice.

Attacks on members of the Nigeria Police Force is another instance of human rights violations. During the October 2020 protests against brutality of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigeria Police Force, some policemen were burnt alive, while some were even eaten after been burnt. We must not forget that those police officers are human beings like us, and that they deserve the respect and dignity we also deserve.

Unfortunately, many cases of human rights abuse and violations did not see justice due to lack or absence of independent and fearless judiciary, and influence of powerful individuals on judicial processes. The Government must hold everyone and even itself accountable and ensure that justice is served. Civil societies also have a role to play in preventing human rights violations. When human rights violations happened, either directly or indirectly, they should speak out and hold violators responsible. The international community too should adequately monitor governments and ensure the upholding, promotion, recognition, and advancement of human rights. Human rights violations are rampant nowadays, and should not be allowed to stay!

Abdullateef  Isa, writes from Ibadan; Southwest Nigeria.

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Though, the panel as learnt, has not ended its sitting, the state government emphasized that it must register its deep concerns and willingness to compensate victims without delay.

Governor  Fayemi who presented the cheques of over seven million naira in total at his office in Ado Ekiti, informed that his administration remains committed to ensuring justice is ensured and enhanced in good time.

He said, “Given the seriousness of the situation our administration decided not to wait until the end of the six months tenure of the panel before we begin to implement some of its recommendations”

Fayemi also apologised to the victims for the pains and losses recorded.

He said beyond the compensations, institutions must be strengthened for rights to be enhanced and protected.

“We have identified three major intervention areas in this regard. These are law reform, policy change, and institutional strengthening. My administration recognizes that enforcing the right of victims requires efficient institutions without which our laws and policies may not be sustained”.

The Chairman of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality and Other Matters, Justice Christopher Akintayo, noted that some of the compensations go beyond monetary offers as some victims are recommended for employment based on their peculiar cases.

Justice  Akintayo disclosed that police officers were also on the compensation list as some fell victims of the #EndSARS protests.

24 petitioners were compensated in this first batch to the tune of seven million naira and more will come by the time the panel concludes its sittings.

Some of those compensated are relatives of departed victims, some who suffered physical injuries, police officers and journalists among others.

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The Panel, after concluding preliminary analysis of complaints/petitions submitted by victims of police brutality/victimisation, will begin the public hearing on Tuesday, 26 January, 2021 at the House of Chiefs, Oyo State House of Assembly Complex, Secretariat, Ibadan from 9.00 a.m. daily. 

According to a public notice signed by the Secretary to the Panel, Mr. H.T. Salami, all petitioners and respondents had been served with hearing notices and they are expected to appear before the Panel on the date contained in their respective hearing notices.

The panel, which warned members of the public coming to the hearing to adhere strictly to COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, asked members of the public who might have enquiries to direct same to the The Secretary of the Panel through Phone Number 07014868686 or via email address: reportpolice@mail.oyostate.gov.ng.

The notice read: “The general public is hereby informed that His Excellency, the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has graciously approved the constitution of a twelve (12)-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry to look at the petitions submitted by victims of police brutality and victimization in the State.

“The Governor inaugurated the Commission on Tuesday , 10th November, 2020 with the following Terms of Reference: to receive and investigate complaints of Police brutality or related extrajudicial killings; to evaluate evidence presented/other surrounding circumstances and draw conclusions as to the validity of the complaints; to recommend compensation and other remedial measures, where appropriate.

“The Panel has, therefore, concluded the preliminary analysis of the submitted complaints/petitions and the public hearing of the Panel will commence on Tuesday, 26 January, 2021, at the House of Chiefs, Oyo State House of Assembly Complex, Secretariat, Ibadan from 9.00 a.m. daily. 

“All the petitioners and the respondents have been served with hearing notices and are expected to appear before the Panel on the date contained in the respective hearing notices.

“All enquiries are to be directed to the The Secretary of the Panel through Phone Number 07014868686 or via email address: reportpolice@mail.oyostate.gov.ng.

“Please, note that all members of the public coming to the hearing are expected to adhere strictly with the COVID-19 pandemic protocols and guidelines.”

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Akanbi Bukola, founder of the group in a chat with Mega Icon Magazine said it is imperative to identify with Nigerians as protests continue around the country to end police brutality and the abuse of power by the institution established to protect its citizenry.

She noted that aside corruption and oppression from the hands of some elements of the Nigeria Police Force, “this time around, Nigerians, irrespective of faith, ethnic or political biases,  must come together to eradicate police brutality once and for all in the society”.

According to her, for many Nigerians, the police has failed to fulfill its mandate of providing public security as enshrined in the constitution, adding that officers are now viewed more as predators than protectors.

Akanbi lamented further that Nigerians struggling to make ends meet are accosted on a daily basis by these officers who demand bribes and commit abuses against them as a means of extorting money.

“Those who fail to pay are usually threatened with arrest and physical harm, by those expected to protect them”, she said.

Akanbi, however called for the overall reform of the country’s police force.

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