ENDSARS Protest
Press note > Africa Region > Nigeria
IHRC Commiserate with NPF on Dead Officers During ENDSARS Protest.
...Says Police Lives Matters and No Individual or Government Should Deprive a Person of their Right to Live".
The Special Monitoring Mission of International Human Rights Commission in Delta State had today 5th November 2020 paid a condolence visit to the Delta State Police Command in Asaba to Sympathize with Nigeria Police over the loss of Police Officers who lost their lives to hoodlums in the guise of #ENDSARS Protesters.
The visit was led by Fidelis Onakpoma, alongside members of IHRC: Princess Ozoh, Wilson Ekwerekwu, Nnamdi Peter, Emmanuel Ojeabulu, and Oyibo Courage.
As an organization working to uphold and protect the rights of every individual across the globe, we are disheartened about the killings and vandalization of properties that erupted during the #ENDSARS Protest in Delta State as well other States.
According to Fidelis Onakpoma, the Commission Representative in Delta State, the right to life is a fundamental human right, the right that everyone has to ‘exist’, and no one can intentionally deprive a person of this right, either an individual or the Government, unless in the execution of a sentence of the court in respect of a criminal offense.
Almost all sectors in Nigeria are victims of bad governance and the Nigerian Police is not exempted. Therefore in addressing the prevalent issues confronting the dignity of the human persons as expressed nationwide by the Nigerian Youths was foremost interesting, but later ended up with the shed of blood.
Then, how can we hope for sustainable development and effective governance, based on the rule of law without peace, stability, and respect for human rights? he added.
The average policeman dies several before their real deaths as a result of different medical complications sustained in discharging their duties and the wilful negligence by the same government who employed them.
This is why we share in their pains as humans and pray Nigerians to stop the killings of policemen as a way of venting their anger against the government, while the police should remain respectful to human rights.
Amidst the meeting, Fidelis stressed that any panel formed to investigate police brutality without having any panel formed to ascertain the challenges faced by the Nigeria Police and to adequately respond to their welfare is also delinquency to the police. Thereby charging the Nigerian government to take responsibility and adequate care of the police.
In response, CP Hafiz Inuwa Delta State Command commended the visit by IHRC and noted that IHRC was the first Non-governmental Organization to pay the State Command a condolence visit over the loss of some members of the Nigerian Police Force during the #ENDSARS Protest and also commiserated with the families of the souls departed.
Furthermore, he maintained that corruption is the national plague devouring the stability, development of Nigeria which Nigerians should address from the grassroots: in our homes, extended families, religions, schools, careers, and society at large.
That Nigeria will be better and great if we can stand against all forms of corruption and put on the whole armour of change, void of discrimination, and violence.
On behalf of the IG of Police, we accept your consolation and believe that together, we can make Nigeria great again.
Reported:
FIDELIS ONAKPOMA
IHRC, ZVC NIGER DELTA.