The Executive Secretary National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, has condemned in strong terms, the continuous killing of security operatives across the Country saying that they rather deserve protection.
Ojukwu who made this condemnation during the fifth edition of the human rights situation dashboard held at the Commission’s Headquarters Abuja noted that the survival and security of the Country depend on the well-being of the security operatives and therefore killing them posed a serious threat to the entire nation.
“The May edition of the dashboard shows an increase in the killing of security personnel, the security architecture must as a matter of urgency tame this tide by ensuring that the trend is reversed forthwith” the Executive Secretary said.
Dr. Ojukwu further enjoined the law enforcement officers to refrain from taking laws into their hands especially in the face of unwarranted provocations but rather respect the rules of engagement at all times. He said those responsible for the dastardly acts must be brought to justice so as to ensure that no innocent person suffers.
Ojukwu also commended stakeholders for their commitment to save-guard human rights and urged them to continue to do more by addressing the root causes of violations.
In his presentation, Mr. Hilary Ogbonna, Senior Human Rights Adviser to the Executive Secretary and Coordinator of the Human Rights Situation Dashboard, gave an analysis of the May edition which was collated across the 36 States of the Federation including FCT. He revealed that the total number of complaints received in May was 55,218.
According to Mr. Ogbonna, from the data presented in the month of May 2024, there was a reduction in violation of children’s rights as against the previous months, while violations against State actors topped the list.
He further stated that human rights complaints to the NHRC have continued to witness astronomical rise which according to him bordered on mass killings and abductions (which are at the highest level), arrest and prolonged detention of journalists, killings of Law Enforcement Agents and Members of the Armed Forces, violence against children and minors as well as economic Reforms which impact on the enjoyment of human rights.
