Lockdown: Security operatives killed more Nigerians than coronavirus, NHRC alleges

The National Human Rights Commission has alleged that security operatives killed more Nigerians while enforcing the stay-at-home order in the country in the last two weeks than coronavirus which has so far claimed the lives of 11 people.

Tribune Online reports that the stay-at-home order in most states and lockdown of Lagos and Ogun States and FTC Abuja was occasioned by the need to contain the spread of the global pandemic.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu made the disclosure through a statement “A report assessing the enforcement of COVID-19 and incidents of violation of human rights over the last two weeks” published on its website on Wednesday.

He stated that security operatives killed 18 people while coronavirus has taken only 11 lives so far in the country.

Tony berated the recklessness and impunity of law enforcement agents and total disregard for protocols and rules of engagement in dealing with the civilian population.

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“There were eight documented incidents of extra-judicial killing leading to 18 deaths.

“Out of this number, 12 deaths were recorded in Kaduna State. Abia State also recorded two deaths arising from two incidents; while Delta, Niger, Ebonyi and Katsina states recorded one death each.

“Whereas COVID-19 has led to the death of about 11 patients to date, law enforcement agents have extra-judicially executed 18 persons to enforce the regulations,” Tony said.

The report further added that out of the 18 deaths, the Nigeria Correctional Service was responsible for eight deaths while the Nigeria Police Force was responsible for seven deaths.

The Nigeria Army, on the other hand, was responsible for two deaths while the Ebonyi State Task Force on COVID-19, Afikpo South LGA was responsible for one death.

The report also stated that the Nigeria Police Force accounted for 90 per cent of the total cases of violations followed by the Nigeria Army, the Nigeria Correctional Service and other non-state actors.

The commission stated that Lagos State had the highest recorded cases with 28 incidents out of 105 complaints of human rights violation received and documented nationwide.