Enough is enough to wanton killings — NHRC

THE National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned the wanton killings and destruction of properties in different parts of the country and called on those behind them to desist from such heinous acts in the interest of justice and human rights or face the wrath of the law.

The Acting Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Mrs Oti Ovrawah who made this call in Abuja on Tuesday, urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts in protecting the lives and properties of all citizens so as to restore citizens’ confidence in the ability of the government to protect them.

Mrs Ovrawah made this statement while reacting to the different incidents of killings and destruction of properties in different parts of the country in recent time.

She observed that each of these incidents has peculiar dynamics, noting that it appears the perpetrators have multiple targets.

She particularly referred to the alleged killings in Benue state and other parts of the country which she noted are worrisome.

She therefore implored the security agencies to, as a matter of urgency, rise up to their responsibility of protecting the lives and properties of citizens and demanded for immediate investigation and prosecution of anyone found culpable of these gruesome acts so as to serve as deterrent to others.

The Acting NHRC boss urged stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice system to ensure a full implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (2015) to hasten the pace of administration of criminal justice in the country and will also discourage victims of crime from resorting to retaliation or revenge missions.

The Acting Head of the Commission said the process of ending these serious violations of human rights is an all-encompassing responsibility that relevant stakeholders must pursue to achieve peaceful coexistence.

“We must understand and appreciate who we are and what we stand for by making our land a better place to live in as every human being belongs to one family and one humanity”, she added.