NHRC Condemns Lamurde Killings, Demands Independent Probe

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned the killing of unarmed, peaceful protesting women in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State, calling for an independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killings.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, in a statement in Abuja, warned that such actions amount to grave violation of human rights which he said is fundamental, inalienable rights every Nigerian.

Ojukwu who demanded that the Federal and State Governments should commit to respecting and protecting citizens’ rights to peaceful protest, and immediately review security-sector protocols to prevent excessive use of force, also requested that measures for reparation and psychosocial support be made available to survivors and families of victims.

While calling for a scaled up civic-education and human-rights awareness programmes, especially in conflict-prone areas in order to rebuild public trust and reinforce the legitimacy of peaceful protest, the Nigerian human right’s chief defender urged the federal government to fast-track the adoption of the National Policy on Protection of Civilians in Conflict Situations and further called on the Adamawa State Government to urgently initiate peacebuilding and conflict resolution mechanisms to resolve on-going inter-communal conflicts in the state.

“The National Human Rights Commission expresses its profound shock and deep sorrow over the tragic killing of protesting women in Lamurde Local Government Area, Adamawa State.

“The pattern of violence against peaceful protesters undermines the protective mandate of the NHRC, which exists to uphold these very rights under its enabling legislation”.

“On the 31st of July, the NHRC issued an “Advisory on the Protection of the Right to Freedom of Association and Assembly in Nigeria” where it stated the principles and values underpinning these twin freedoms as cornerstones of our democracy. It is our strongest view that where the Freedom of Assembly is violated, the very foundation of our democracy is attacked.

The National Human Rights Commission affirms that the killing of protesting women whether done by members of the Armed Forces as alleged by many accounts or by Non-State Actors violates the very essence of our humanity – the right to life”, Ojukwu stressed.

Further calling on all responsible authorities to immediately identify and hold to account all those responsible and ensure they face appropriate criminal prosecution, the senior advocate of Nigeria demanded that there should be provision for full reparations and support to the victims, their families and the communities affected.

He also called on the government to guarantee that no similar incident happens again and enforce strict adherence to legal standards on use of force, and by facilitating the safe exercise of citizens’ rights to protest, assembly, and expression.