Attacks: NHRC Condemns ‘Escalating Violations’ Of Right To Life In Nigeria

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said the escalating attacks, kidnappings, and killings of innocent Nigerians in Kebbi, Kwara and other States of the Federation has become one too many.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr Tony Ojukwu, while warning that the dignity to human life was fast waning in the country, on Wednesday, through a statement signed by the director of corporate affairs and external linkages of the Commission, Fatima Agwai Mohammed, lamented that the recent abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the killing of worshippers in Kwara State were reminders of the grave danger facing the nation.

Ojukwu, who wondered why the country was still battling what he termed rag-tag Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists since 2009 without conclusive success, expressed worry on the heinous acts of violence against innocent Nigerians.

The Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria said Nigerians demanded immediate action from the government to protect the right to life of all citizens.

“It is a matter of moral and legal obligation for the government to ensure the safety and security of its citizen. Every life is precious and should be preserved, the Chibok school girls incident and other similar ugly misfortunes like the recent Maga school incident call to question the safe schools declaration Nigeria subscribed to, noting that such should not be allowed to reoccur in our dear country, as these dastardly acts put the right to life and safety of our schools and places of worship under threat,” he warned.

According to the Learned Silk, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Section 33(1), guarantees the right to life, stating that “Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life.”

Additionally, he said, Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which Nigeria has ratified, states that “Human beings are inviolable. Every human being shall be entitled to respect for his life and the integrity of his person. No one may be arbitrarily deprived of this right.”

He further stated that Nigeria is a signatory to several other international human rights instruments that protect the right to life, including, Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which states that ‘Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.’

Ojukwu, therefore, called on the government to take immediate action to protect the right to life of all Nigerians, in line with its constitutional and international obligations.

“We demand: Effective investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of these heinous crimes; adequate compensation and support to victims and their families; strengthening of security measures to prevent future attacks; and most importantly Increased vigilance and reporting of suspicious activities by citizens,” he declared.

He assured that the NHRC will continue to monitor the situation and make necessary recommendations to the relevant authorities.