Nigeria’s Security Forces Accused of Culture of Impunity
The Human Rights Association (HRA) has accused Nigeria’s security forces of fostering a culture of impunity, highlighting how the federal government’s lack of accountability is eroding constitutional guarantees and diminishing public trust in state institutions. This assertion comes in the wake of numerous suspected extrajudicial killings across the country.
Calls for Accountability and Police Reforms
In a forceful statement issued on Tuesday, the HRA urged the federal government to take decisive action against security personnel implicated in unlawful killings. The group called for the dismantling of institutional structures that facilitate abuses and the implementation of comprehensive police reforms that have been promised since the 2020 EndSARS protests.
Recent Incidents Highlight Excessive Use of Force
The organization pointed to the recent killings of Mene Ogidi, 28, a delivery worker in Delta State, and Abdulsamad Jamiu, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) worker in Abuja, as examples of the alarming trend of excessive force used by both police and military personnel. Ogidi was reportedly shot at close range by Assistant Superintendent of Police Nuhu Usman while on duty, an incident that prompted widespread outrage after footage circulated on social media. The police officer has since been arrested and dismissed from service.
Controversial Shootings Raise Questions
Just a day prior to Ogidi’s death, Jamiu was allegedly killed by soldiers from the Guards Brigade Rapid Reaction Force at his family’s compound in Abuja. Initial reports referred to the event as a case of crossfire; however, the military later admitted this characterization was incorrect, prompting skepticism from the victim’s family.
Pattern of Violations and Injustice
The HRA emphasized that these incidents are not isolated but indicative of a broader, troubling pattern of unlawful killings, torture, arbitrary detention, and enforced disappearances that persist across Nigeria, despite repeated assurances of reform from the authorities. High-profile cases, such as the death of a 13-year-old boy named Timothy Daniel, shot in the head by a soldier earlier this year, further underscore the severity of the situation.
Concerns Over Tiger Base Police Force
The group also raised alarms about the controversial Tiger Base Police Force in Owerri, Imo State, which was originally created to combat kidnapping and armed robbery. According to the HRA, the facility has gained notoriety for torture, extortion, and unlawful killings. The case of Japhet Njoku, a security guard allegedly beaten to death in detention in May 2025, exemplifies the dire conditions inside these facilities.
Widespread Violence Amidst Protests
Rights organizations have documented instances of demonstrators being fatally shot during nationwide protests against economic hardship and governance failures in various states, including Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna, and Borno. This highlights a continuation of violence against civilians in the face of societal unrest.
Demand for Systemic Changes
HRA Chairman Saad Kasis-Mohammed emphasized that Nigeria’s ongoing failure to hold police officers accountable for unlawful killings showcases a lack of political resolve rather than institutional incompetence. He called for immediate action, stating that the government must address underlying issues instead of merely managing individual cases. He reiterated the constitutional right to life and Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights treaties.
Framework for Reform and Justice
The HRA is calling for all police officers involved in unlawful killings to be prosecuted in civil court, alongside an independent investigation into Tiger Base and similar detention centers. The group is advocating for justice and compensation for victims’ families, and it emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive reforms across the Nigeria Police Force, including mandatory human rights training and the establishment of independent oversight mechanisms.
The Human Rights Association operates under the auspices of the WeCare Foundation, a Cape Town-based organization dedicated to defending rights related to detention, healthcare access, and due process through international human rights channels.
