The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has said one hundred and four incidents of human rights violations were reported between April 13th and May 4th 2020 during the extended lockdown in 27 states, including the FCT .
A press statement by the Commission said, “One Hundred and Four (104) incidents of human rights violations were reported/received by the Commission across 27 States (including the FCT), during the extended lockdown period (i.e. from 13th April to 4th May, 2020).
“Of this number, Enugu State recorded the highest cases of human rights violations with 13 incidents, followed by Imo State which had 12 incidents. Akwa Ibom and Nasarawa States recorded 10 incidents each, while Delta and Abia States recorded 9 and 7 incidents respectively.
“Lagos State recorded 5 cases, while FCT Abuja and Benue States recorded 4 cases each. This is followed by Niger, Zamfara, Osun and Rivers States with 3 incidents each.
According to NHRC, “Other states such as Anambra, Jigawa, Bayelsa and Edo States recorded 2 incidents each; while Ogun, Kogi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Adamawa, Ebonyi, Kano, Cross River and Ekiti States recorded 1 incident each
Read the full text of the Press release below:
NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION.
REPORT OF ALLEGED HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS RECORDED BETWEEN 13TH APRIL TO 4TH MAY, 2020 FOLLOWING THE EXTENSION OF THE LOCKDOWN PERIOD BY GOVERNMENT
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In a Press Statement on 13th April 2020, the Federal Government extended the Lockdown period for 14 more days effective 13th – 27th April 2020. The lockdown period was further extended from 27th April to 4th May, 2020. This report therefore documents the various incidents of human rights violation allegedly perpetrated by security agencies and other actors during the extended lockdown period commencing from 13th April to 4th May, 2020.
The report also documents the various thematic areas in which the violations occurred, the nature of the violations, the disaggregated data on state reported violations, the agencies of Government responsible for the violations as well as the response/action taken to remedy the violations.
1.2 INCIDENTS OF VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
1.3 The report shows that a total of 104 complaints were monitored/received from twenty-seven States (27) out of the 36 States of the federation including the FCT, namely: Abia, Adamawa; Akwa Ibom; Kano; Jigawa; Cross Rivers; Ebonyi; Edo; Enugu; Ekiti; Delta; Imo; Lagos; Nasarawa; Niger; Ogun; Osun; Borno; Bayelsa; kogi; Benue; Anambra; Kaduna; Gombe; Zamfara and Rivers States.
1.4 It further shows a reduction in the total number of complaints on human rights violations received/documented by the Commission from 105 (as contained in the first report released by the Commission on 14th April, 2020) for a period of 2 weeks (i.e from 30th March – 13th April, 2020) to 104 complaints for a period of three (3) weeks (i.e from 13th April – 4th May, 2020). This shows an improvement of the state of human rights in the enforcement of Covid 19 Regulations by law enforcement officers, Task Forces on Covid 19 and other non-state actors. This improvement is attributed to the level of awareness created by the Commission following the release of its initial report of 14/4/2020 as well as efforts to ensure accountability and adherence to the rules of engagement on the part of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).
1.5 Out of 104 complaints/incidents of human rights violations received and documented within the period, 49 complaints were received/documented within the first week of the extended lockdown period (i.e. from 13th – 20th April, 2020); while 33 complaints were received during the 2nd week (i.e. from 20th – 27th April, 2020). During the 3rd week (i.e from 27th April – 4th May, 2020), only 23 complaints/incidents were received/documented by the Commission. This shows weekly reduction in complaints received.
1.6 The report also shows that Enugu State has the highest recorded cases with 13 incidents unlike Lagos State that had the highest cases with 28 incidents in the earlier Report released on 14/4/2020 by the Commission. This is followed by Imo State which had 12 incidents. Akwa Ibom and Nasarawa States recorded 10 incidents each, while Delta and Abia States recorded 9 and 7 incidents respectively.
1.7 Lagos State recorded 5 cases, while FCT Abuja and Benue States recorded 4 cases each. This is followed by Niger, Zamfara, Osun and Rivers States with 3 incidents each. Other states such as Anambra, Jigawa, Bayelsa and Edo States recorded 2 incidents each; while Ogun, Kogi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Adamawa, Ebonyi, Kano, Cross River and Ekiti States recorded 1 incident each.
2.0 THEMATIC AREAS/TYPES OF VIOLATIONS
2.1 The complaints of human rights violations were received and documented in the following thematic areas: extra-judicial killings, violation of right to freedom of movement, unlawful arrest and detention, seizure/confiscation of properties, sexual and gender based violence (SGBV), torture, inhumane and degrading treatment and extortion.
2.2 There were 11 documented incidents of extra-judicial killing leading to 11 deaths. Out of this number, 4 deaths were recorded in Abia State alone. Delta State recorded 2 deaths, while Niger, Jigawa, Lagos, Anambra and Rivers States recorded 1 death each.
2.3 The report further shows that out of the 11 deaths, the Nigeria Police Force was responsible for 7 deaths, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nonstate Actors and the Abia State Task Force on Covid – 19 were responsible for 1 death each. Investigation was still on-going as at the time of the report to unravel the perpetrator of the extra-judicial killing that occurred in Jigawa State.
2.4 Other types of violation recorded within the period include 34 incidents of torture, inhumane and degrading treatment, 14 incidents of violation of right to freedom of movement, unlawful arrest and detention, 11 incidents of seizure/confiscation of properties, 19 incidents of extortion and 15 incidents of SGBV.
2.5 The report finds that the Nigeria Police Force accounted for 59.6% of the total cases of violations followed by Non-State Actors (i.e. mostly private individuals in SGBV related cases) which accounted for 18.3% of the total cases. The various Task Forces on enforcement of Covid-19 Regulations across the states accounted for 10.5% of the total cases; while the Nigeria Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) accounted for 7.7% and 1.9% respectively. The Department of State Services (DSS) also accounted for 1% of the total cases, while a perpetrator representing the other 1% was yet to be determined as at the time of this report.
2.6 The report also finds that18 incidents of violations representing about 17.3% of the complaints have been resolved by different security agencies and the Commission.
2.6 The various human rights violations recorded during the period arose as a result of excessive or disproportionate use of force, abuse of power, corruption and none adherence to international and national human rights laws and best practices by law enforcement agents.
3.0 ANALYSIS OF THE VIOLATIONS
Total Number of Violations
One Hundred and Four (104) incidents of human rights violations were reported/received by the Commission across 27 States (including the FCT), during the extended lockdown period (i.e. from 13th April to 4th May, 2020). Of this number, Enugu State recorded the highest cases of human rights violations with 13 incidents, followed by Imo State which had 12 incidents. Akwa Ibom and Nasarawa States recorded 10 incidents each, while Delta and Abia States recorded 9 and 7 incidents respectively.
Lagos State recorded 5 cases, while FCT Abuja and Benue States recorded 4 cases each. This is followed by Niger, Zamfara, Osun and Rivers States with 3 incidents each.
Other states such as Anambra, Jigawa, Bayelsa and Edo States recorded 2 incidents each; while Ogun, Kogi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Adamawa, Ebonyi, Kano, Cross River and Ekiti States recorded 1 incident each.
4.0 Thematic/Types of Violations
- Extra-Judicial Killing
There were 11 incidents of extra-judicial killing leading to 11 deaths. Out of this number, 4 deaths were recorded in Abia State alone arising from 4 incidents, followed by Delta State with 2 deaths arising from 2 incidents. Niger, Anambra, Jigawa, Rivers and Lagos States also recorded 1 death each.
The report further shows that out of the 11 deaths, the Nigeria Police Force was responsible for 7 deaths, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), non-state actors and the Abia State Task Force on Covid – 19 were responsible for 1 death each.
Investigation was still ongoing as at the time of the report to unravel the perpetrator of the extra-judicial killing that occurred in Jigawa State.
- Violation of Right to Freedom of Movement, Unlawful Arrest and Detention
Fourteen (14) incidents of violation of right to movement, unlawful arrest and detention were recorded within the period. Akwa Ibom State recorded the highest number of cases with 3 incidents, followed by Imo and Enugu States with 2 incidents each. FCT Abuja, Nasarawa, Bayelsa, Anambra, Borno, Ogun and Lagos States recorded 1 incident each.
The report also shows that out of the 14 incidents, 78.6% were allegedly perpetrated by officials of the Nigeria Police Force, while 14.3% and 7.1% were perpetrated by officials of the Nigeria Army and Department of State Services (DSS) respectively.
c) Torture, Inhumane and Degrading Treatment
The report shows that 34 incidents of torture, inhumane and degrading treatment involving more than 34 victims were recorded within the period. Imo State recorded 7 incidents – representing the state with the highest number of incidents of torture, inhumane and degrading treatment. This is followed by Delta State which recorded 5 incidents. Nasarawa and Abia States recorded 4 and 3 incidents respectively.
Other states such as Niger and Osun recorded 2 incidents each, while Kano, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Gombe, Kaduna, Enugu, FCT Abuja and Lagos States recorded 1 incident each.
Officials of the Nigeria Police Force accounted for 23 of the reported cases on torture, inhuman and degrading treatment (representing 67.6%), followed by Nigeria Army which accounted for 5 of the reported cases (representing 14.7%). Non-State Actors such as individuals and private groups accounted for 3 reported cases (representing 8.8%).
The various Task Forces on Covid 19 operating within different States accounted for 2 of the reported cases (representing 5.9%); while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) accounted for 1 incident (representing 2.9%) of the total cases.
d. Extortion
Nineteen (19) incidents of extortion by security officials and other actors were recorded within the period. The acts of extortion involved demand for payment of various sums of money ranging from N100 to N10,000 by security officials and other actors to secure passage of motorcycle/bus operators, the release of persons arrested and properties seized as a result of violation of the stay-at home order of Government.
Enugu State recorded the highest incidents of extortion with 10 cases, followed by Imo State with 3 incidents. Lagos and Nasarawa States recorded 2 incidents each, while Cross River and Rivers States recorded 1 incident each.
Officials of the Nigeria Police Force allegedly perpetrated 12 of the total number of reported cases on extortion representing (63.2%); while Task Forces on Covid-19 had 6 reported cases representing (31.5%). The Nigeria Army recorded one (1) incident of extortion amounting to (5.3%) of the total cases on extortion.
e. Seizure/Confiscation of Properties
The report shows that 11 incidents of seizure/confiscation of properties were recorded within the period. Nasarawa State recorded the highest number with 3 incidents. This is followed by Akwa Ibom and Delta States with 2 incidents each. Other states such as Edo, Adamawa, Osun and Rivers States recorded 1 incident each.
Officials of the Nigeria Police were allegedly responsible for 9 recorded incidents representing (81.8%), while the Task Force on Covid-19 recorded 2 cases representing (18.2%) of the total number of cases on seizure/confiscation of properties.
- Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV)
The report shows that 15 incidents of SGBV were recorded within the period.
Akwa Ibom State recorded the highest with 4 incidents. This is followed by Benue State which recorded 3 incidents. FCT Abuja and Zamfara States recorded 2 incidents each; while Delta, Jigawa, Kogi and Bayelsa States recorded 1 incident each. The report notes that majority of the incidents of SGBV were allegedly perpetrated by private individuals.
5.0 Analysis of Violating Agencies, Resolved and Unresolved Cases
Table 1 shows Cases of Alleged Extra-Judicial killings which occurred during the first week after the extension of the lock down (i.e. 13th – 20th April, 2020)
| State | Reported Cases | Alleged Violating Agencies/Others | Gender of Victims | Resolved | Un-Resolved |
| Abia | 4 | Nigeria Police Force (2) NSCDC (1) Abia State Task Force on Covid-19 (1) | Males | 1 | 3 |
| Niger | 1 | Nigeria Police Force | Male | 0 | 1 |
| Anambra | 1 | Nigeria Police Force (SARS) | Male | 0 | 1 |
| Delta | 1 | Nigeria Police Force | Male | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 7 | 1 | 6 |
Table 2 shows Cases of Alleged Extra-Judicial killings which occurred during the 2nd week after the extension of the lockdown (i.e. 20th – 27th April, 2020)
| State | Reported Cases | Alleged Violating Agencies/Others | Gender of Victims | Resolved | Un-Resolved |
| Jigawa | 1 | Nigeria Police Force (This however requires further investigation to be finally determined) | Males | 0 | 1 |
| Rivers | 1 | Nigeria Police Force | Male | 0 | 1 |
| Lagos | 1 | Non-State Actor | Male | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Table 3 shows cases of Extra-Judicial killings which occurred during the 3rd week after the extension of the lockdown (i.e 27th April – 4th May, 2020)
| State | Reported Cases | Violating Agencies/Others | Gender of Victims | Resolved | Un-Resolved |
| Delta | 1 | Nigeria Police Force | Male | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Tables 1, 2 and 3 above show that 11 incidents of extra-judicial killings were recorded from 13th April – 4th May, 2020. Only one of the cases has been resolved.
Table 4 shows Cases of Violation of Right to Freedom of Movement, Unlawful Arrest and Detention which occurred during the first week after the extension of the lockdown (i.e. 13th – 20th April, 2020)
| State | Reported Cases | Violating Agencies/Others | Gender victims | of | Resolved | Un- Resolved |
| Enugu | 2 | Nigeria Police Force | Males | 0 | 2 | |
| FCT | 1 | Nigerian Police Force | Male | 0 | 1 | |
| Ogun | 1 | Nigerian Police Force | Female | 1 | 0 | |
| Lagos | 1 | Nigeria Army | Male | 0 | 1 | |
| Total | 5 | 1 | 4 |
Table 5 shows Cases of violation of Right to Freedom of Movement, Unlawful
Arrest and Detention which occurred during the 2nd week after the extension of the lockdown (i.e. 20th – 27th April, 2020)
| State | Reported Cases | Violating Agencies/Others | Gender victims | of | Resolved | Un- Resolved |
| Imo | 2 | Nigeria Police Force | Males Females | and | 0 | 2 |
| Akwa Ibom | 1 | Nigerian Police | Male | 1 | 0 | |
| Force | ||||||
| Anambra | 1 | Nigerian Police Force | Male | 0 | 1 | |
| Nasarawa | 1 | Nigeria Police Force | Male | 0 | 1 | |
| Borno | 1 | Nigeria Army | Males Females | and | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 6 | 2 | 4 |
Table 6 shows cases of violation of Right to Freedom of Movement, Unlawful Arrest and Detention which occurred during the 3rd week after the extension of the lockdown (i.e 27th April – 4th May, 2020)
| State | Reported Cases | Violating Agencies/Others | Gender of victims | Resolved | Un-Resolved |
| Akwa Ibom | 2 | Nigeria Police Force (1) DSS (1) | Males | 0 | 2 |
| Bayelsa | 1 | Nigerian Police Force | Male | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Tables 4, 5 and 6 above show that 14 incidents of unlawful arrest, detention and violation of right to freedom of movement were recorded from 13th – 4th May, 2020. Out of the 14 cases, 4 have been resolved, while 10 remain unresolved.
