Rights Abuses: Anambra, Enugu states worst in Nigeria – ASF

By Raphael Ede
Enugu

An international Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) specialised in defending human rights and supporting justice, Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF) France, has said that Anambra and Enugu state command of Nigerian Police Force has highest record of human rights abuse in Nigeria.
The organisation alleged that out of 50 cases of torture and various human rights abuses in the Enugu command, 40 cases involved gunshot wound reportedly inflicted by officers and men of Special Anti-Robbery Squad Unit (SARS).
Head of ASF France, Angela Uwandu, made the revelation at a training workshop for judicial actors, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), security formations and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The workshop had the theme: ‘Promoting the United Nations Convention Against Torture in Nigeria’ said the organization is not in way promoting or supporting criminals but their goal is for due process stipulated by our local laws, regional and international laws be followed while officials carries out their duties.
Uwandu said documentary report released by Amnesty International recently about the activities of SARS in Anambra and Enugu states was alarming, even when torture is prohibited by law.
The Country Head who further stated that human rights abuse cut across, urged stakeholder not to regard victims as criminals, stating: “These practices often arise from appalling detention conditions in many countries in a post-conflict situation or in transition. ASF is calling for a reduction in the use of detention.
According to the National Human Rights Commission Rapporteur, the first thing that detainees mention is not the torture they endured while in custody or in prison, they complain of a shortage of water and food and a lack of medical treatment, even for serious illnesses.
Delivering a keynote address, former Chief Judge of Enugu state, Justice Innocent A. Umezulike, said the theme of the workshop was apt especially at this time when the nation is confronted daily, in the courts and in the media, with cases of torture.
Represented by Justice Ani, Umezulike said: “We should be our brothers’ keepers and report acts of torture being committed in our neighbourhood, no matter who the perpetrator is.”