CLEEN foundation laments killing of Nigerians by security officials


CLEEN Foundation has raised alarm over the spate of Killing of Citizens by Security Agents across the country.
The Executive Director , Dr Benson Olugbuo in a press statement issued in Abuja said the Security agents must embrace rights based approach to enforce the restriction of movement directives.
He said officers of security agencies indicted for human rights abuses should face the full weight of the law.
According to him, in Akwa Ibom state, a health professional and staff of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital on essential duty was brutally assaulted by a police officer. 
“In Lagos state, our observers reported instances where officers of the Nigerian Army subjected some persons to untoward physical exercise for flouting the stay-at-home order. 
“Certain areas in the Federal Capital Territory witnessed intimidation by security personnel as the officials resorted to the use of force to send people back to their houses along the Airport road.
“ Furthermore, in Ekiti state, our observers reported acts of brutality by NSCDC officials and officials of the state taskforces involved in rights violations. 


“In Ebonyi State, the Governor allegedly directed security agents to shoot at sight anyone that tries to run away from the State isolation center,”he said. 
On Extortion of Citizens by Security Operatives, He further explained that Report from one of our observers in the Ifako-Ijaiye axis of Lagos state confirms the activities of police in extortion of citizens who were asked to pay between 50,000 to 100,000 Naira for violation of restriction order. 
He said in Nnobi, Idemili Anambra State, some police personnel extorted monies from citizens who violated the stay at home order. 
He said there is the need for improved synergy between the Federal and the State Governments on the coordination of COVID-19 responses across the nation. 

He said the Nigerian Governors’ Forum should support and complement the efforts of the Presidential Task Force across the states.

He said Security agents must embrace rights based approach to enforce the restriction of movement directives. Furthermore, officers of security agencies indicted for human rights abuses should face the full weight of the law.
He urged that Government should provide personal protective equipment and codes of conduct for all security agents deployed to enforce the restriction of movement adding that their welfare should also be made a priority.

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