The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a strong denunciation of the excessive force and blatant violation of fundamental rights exhibited by law enforcement agencies during the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests held last month. These demonstrations, aimed at demanding better governance and accountability, were overshadowed by incidents of violence and tragic loss of life.
On Friday, Tony Ojukwu, SAN, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, made this statement while unveiling the Commission’s human rights situation dashboard. He asserted that the conduct of security forces constituted a serious infringement upon the fundamental rights of the Nigerian populace and called for unequivocal condemnation and justice for those affected.
“The #EndBadGovernance protests represented a rightful assertion of the people’s desire for improved governance,” Ojukwu stated via his Special Assistant and head of Human Rights Monitoring, Mr. Benedict Agu. Agu further shed light on the troubling issue of displacement impacting numerous individuals and communities.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that approximately 208,655 individuals have been displaced across 22 states this year, marking a significant rise compared to figures from 2023.
“The government must take immediate and sustainable steps to resolve this crisis, ensuring the safety and welfare of those affected while preventing future displacements caused by flooding and other factors,” Agu asserted.
The NHRC’s monthly human rights dashboard serves as a crucial mechanism for evaluating the human rights landscape in Nigeria, offering essential insights and data that necessitate action. In the most recent report, Mr. Hillary Ogbona, Senior Human Rights Adviser to the Executive Secretary, disclosed that over 1,200 individuals who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protests have been arrested and are currently detained.
While some have faced charges, the Commission has raised concerns regarding their prolonged detention before formal court appearances.
The dashboard also revealed that 414,200 complaints regarding human rights violations have been lodged in the last two months. Ogbona emphasized that protesting is a legitimate form of expressing grievances and should not be criminalized.
“The government ought to facilitate protests rather than suppress them,” he remarked. “Acts of looting and property destruction are criminal behaviours, distinct from peaceful protests.”
The NHRC has urged the government to evaluate and assist victims of property damage resulting from the protests and to address the root economic and political issues fueling public dissatisfaction. The Commission also called for all levels of government to enhance their capacity to safeguard lives and property.
Additionally, Ogbona noted that the Commission is closely observing the legal proceedings involving the protesters, stressing that if charges of treason are brought against them, the government must provide compelling evidence.
The NHRC has also reported a concerning rise in mass killings, abductions, attacks on police stations, threats to press freedom, and violence against children and law enforcement officials.
