The House of Representatives has directed heads of security agencies to bring to justice officials indicted for human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings in the course of the lockdown in the country.
The lawmakers condemned the wave of human rights violations during the lockdown and charged relevant committees to investigate the matter and make sure offenders are brought to book.
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This followed a unanimous adoption of a motion moved by the deputy chief whip of the House, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (APC, Imo)
Recall that various state governments declared partial or total lockdown in their states while President Muhammadu Buhari also ordered a lockdown in Lagos, Ogun, Abuja and recently, Kano, as part of measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission reported that while the lockdown was on, there was a rise in the incidents of human rights violations.
According to the Commission, no fewer than 18 Nigerians were killed extrajudicially by security operatives across the country in the first two weeks of the lockdown.
The Commission also reported that another 11 persons were killed extrajudicially between April 13 and May 4 by security agents and other officials enforcing the lockdown.
Ms Onyejeocha, while presenting her motion, condemned the rate of extrajudicial killings and called for an investigation into the killings.
She noted:
Security operatives have also physically assaulted and brutalised innocent Nigerians in the name of enforcing COVID-19 lockdown directive.
As evident in the case of one Ms. Tola Azeez who was physically assaulted and brutalised by Inspector Ikuesan Taiwo and Constable Abass Ibrahim in Iwo, Osun State, in early April.
The lawmaker also cited instances of some Nigerians being intimidated and money extorted from them, saying:
As in the case of Mrs Nwabuabo Obiajulu and her son, Chukwuweiki, from whom officers of the Nigeria Police extorted the sum of ₦120,000 on Friday, April 17, 2020, for flouting the lockdown directive in Delta State.
