Security Agencies and Human Right Violations in Nigeria

Abstract

It is no news that Nigeria, which is arguably the giant of Africa, is known for human rights violations. From its years of military authoritarianism which witnessed the killing of several human rights activists, and since the return to democratic rule, the country’s human rights narrative has not changed. Government authorities and law enforcement agents (the police) frequently engage in various human rights violations, notably unlawful killings, torture, ill-treatment of no crime suspects, forced evictions, interference with the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of association, and violence against women and children are widespread across the country. This has created worrisome threats to lives and government seems to be grappling with the situation, hence there is some measure of friction between the activities of security agencies and human right in Nigeria. It is against this backdrop that pertinent questions are asked on how well security agencies could be operated without infringement on fundamental human rights and what are the probable mechanisms that could be adopted by security agencies without abuse of human rights in Nigeria. Answers to these questions instigated this research work. This study exemplified the extent of human rights abuses in Nigerian democratic governance. It equally highlighted causes and the effects of human rights abuses in Nigeria and made recommendations on how to prevent its occurrences in the future. Secondary sources of data thus become the hub of its methodology. The study adopted system theory by Gabriel Almond as its theoretical framework.

Human rights promotion in the south east Nigeria: The influence of Christian religious education

“…The objectives CRE however, are geared towards preservation of life and maintenance of human relationship with his creator and environment. The subject designed to inculcate in the life of the young people the essential norms or learning capable of giving man a sense of social responsibility [2]. This is in line with Oser and Reichenbach as quoted by Njoku that … "the content and objectives Christian Religion Education are detailed and rich enough to deal with the present moral crises in the society which centers on denial of fundamental human rights" [13].…”

“…Thus, Human right is not only violated by government but many religious leaders, intellectuals, politicians and journalists [1]. For more than a decade of democratic governance in Nigeria, and endorsement of universal declaration of human rights charter, Nigerians still face a lot of human rights abuses [2]. A Study has observed that cases of human rights violations is high in Nigeria which has become a culture of impunity in the Africa's most populous country [3].…”

“…In other words, violation of human right ranges from extra-judicial killings, illegal detention, and destruction of property by security forces amongst others. Research have revealed other forms of human rights abuses in Nigeria to includes motorists' harassment and extortion by security personnel, political assassinations, and undemocratic imposition of candidates in leadership and intimidation of political opponents [2,6].…”

“…According to the Human Rights Report, in the first quarter of the year, 341,997 complaints were received by the Commission while the second quarter recorded 464,800, the highest number of complaints per quarter. A drop to 440,800 was recorded in the third quarter but rose slightly to 453,760 complaints, being the second highest per quarter [2,7]. Promotion of human rights is pivotal in order to fulfill the fundamental task of becoming a human person thus, fulfilling the calling as an image of God.…”