Amnesty International exposed the shocking level of unlawful police killings in Nigeria in a new report released on Wednesday.
"The Nigerian police are responsible for hundreds of unlawful killings every year," said Erwin van der Borght, Director of Amnesty International's Africa Programme.
"Police don't only kill people by shooting them; they also torture them to death, often while they are in detention."
"The majority of the cases go un-investigated and the police officers responsible go unpunished. The families of the victims usually get no justice or redress. Most never even find out what happened to their loved ones."
Police frequently claim that the victims of shootings were 'armed robbers' killed in 'shoot-outs' with the police or while trying to escape custody. These claims are often highly implausible.
Fifteen-year-old Emmanuel Egbo was killed by a police officer in Enugu in September 2008. According to witnesses, he was playing with other children in front of his uncle's house when three police officers came up to them. One officer pulled out a gun and shot the boy, claiming he was an armed robber. He was unarmed.
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In August 2009, his family discovered his body had disappeared from the mortuary. As of November 2009, the body is still missing.
Amnesty International said that some police officers see the killings of 'armed robbers' in detention as acceptable practice.
In June 2009, the organization visited the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) detention centre in Abuja, which is located in a disused abattoir outside the city.
Suspects are held in a vast warehouse previously used for slaughtering cattle. Chains are still hanging from the ceiling. When Amnesty International delegates visited the building, about 15 people were held in cells. Amnesty International delegates counted at least 30 empty bullet cases scattered on the ground.
Unofficially, a policeman told Amnesty International that many "armed robbers" are taken there and shot.
Amnesty International said that one of the main problems is 'Nigeria Police Force Order 237' under which police officers are allowed to shoot suspects and detainees who attempt to escape or avoid arrest – whether or not they pose a threat to life.
"Force Order 237 is so impermissibly broad. It simply gives police officers permission to shoot people. It is against international standards, and is being abused by police officers to commit, justify and cover up illegal killings," said Erwin van der Borght.
"The government must repeal Force Order 237 and publicly announce that the use of lethal force is only allowed when strictly unavoidable to protect life. This simple step could make a big difference to the number of unlawful police killings we are seeing in Nigeria."
Enforced disappearances in Nigeria are rife. Typically, in the first days or weeks following arrest, families are allowed to visit their relatives in detention. Later on, police tell them their loved ones have been "transferred to Abuja". Other times, they simply deny any knowledge of their whereabouts.
The Nigerian government says that they do not condone extrajudicial killings. But they are not doing enough to stop them and bring the police perpetrators to justice. Even on the rare occasions when police officers implicated in an unlawful killing are prosecuted, they are often released on bail or escape custody. Some are simply transferred to other states.
"Ending unlawful killings and enforced disappearances by the police will require serious legal reform and commitment and support from the Nigerian police force," said Erwin van der Borght. "The Nigerian Police Force must introduce a new code of conduct throughout its chain of command – from the very top to the bottom. If not, the cycle of violence will simply continue."
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I am not surprised at the findings of Amnesty International about Nigeria Police Force having witnessed and experienced their barbaric acts in 1999 while i was on holiday in Nigeria.
I was arrested at Sabo Area in Ibadan where i went to exchange money at about 11.00 am on this faithful day. I was arrested and taken to Iyaganku Central Police Station and was detained. All efforts made to contact my family proved abortive. What i witnessed at the at the police station was shocking. The police station was like market place where buying and seling was taking place. Money exchanged hands in thousand and people were released after payment of ransoms demanded by the police. The earlier you pay the money the earliy your release. I was eventuially bailed after paying a civilian working at the station as a cleaners to go and inform my family about my arrest. I paid certain amount for bail before i was released and warned not to say anything about my arrest.
I refused to pay the police after that night having lived and worked in United Kingdom. About twenty to thirty of us were detained in a single cell. I deliberately refused to pay the money demanded by the police in order to see more of the way police in Nigeria operate. It was shocking experience that i did not wish for my worst enemy, i saw hell on earth in my own country.
I wanted to sue Oyo State Commissioner of Police and co joined the Inspector General of Police in Nigeria then but i didn't go ahead with this case because Nigeria judicial system was rotten to his foundation. Don't get me wrong, some Nigerian Judges are fearless and God fearing but they are few.
Having lived and worked in Jamaica and travelled in Europe i think Nigeria Police Force is one of the most babaric police force in the world. After the incident, i was afraid to get into any aurgument with any Nigeria police whenever i am on holiday in Nigeria. I warned my son on holiday in Nigeria this year never to enter into aurgument with any Nigeria police. History is littered with Nigerians who have been killed by Nigerian police force. Dele Udo was shot and killed by a Nigerian police and heaven did not fall because of that. Kunle Adepeju was kiilled by police in the 70s during student demonstration and nothing happened to the police who killed him.
I am a nurse by profession but i decided to study law in United Kingdom after this incident; the truth i found while studying law made me to be ashamed of my country Police Force. Nigerian Police Force is not operating within any known International law recognised anywhere in the world. Whenever i see a British Police around in UK i feel safe despite the racism going on in UK and mistrust of the police by the black people and minority group.
Nigeria Police Force needs total overhauling and the earlier this is done the better for the nation. Extra judicial killings by Nigerian Police Force is very unfortunate for the nation. The Attorney General and Minister for Justice of Nigeria was killed and the killers are now on the corridors of power in the same country, what is the fate of the common men in the street. Don't aurgue with Nigerian police if you are on holiday in Nigeria, it is not good for your health and safety. The draconian law under which the Police Force is operating should be abolished with immediate effect.
I am not surprised at the findings of Amnesty International about Nigeria Police Force having witnessed and experienced their barbaric acts in 1999 while i was on holiday in Nigeria.
I was arrested at Sabo Area in Ibadan where i went to exchange money at about 11.00 am on this faithful day. I was arrested and taken to Iyaganku Central Police Station and was detained. All efforts made to contact my family proved abortive. What i witnessed at the at the police station was shocking. The police station was like market place where buying and seling was taking place. Money exchanged hands in thousand and people were released after payment of ransoms demanded by the police. The earlier you pay the money the earliy your release. I was eventuially bailed after paying a civilian working at the station as a cleaners to go and inform my family about my arrest. I paid certain amount for bail before i was released and warned not to say anything about my arrest.
I refused to pay the police after that night having lived and worked in United Kingdom. About twenty to thirty of us were detained in a single cell. I deliberately refused to pay the money demanded by the police in order to see more of the way police in Nigeria operate. It was shocking experience that i did not wish for my worst enemy, i saw hell on earth in my own country.
I wanted to sue Oyo State Commissioner of Police and co joined the Inspector General of Police in Nigeria then but i didn't go ahead with this case because Nigeria judicial system was rotten to his foundation. Don't get me wrong, some Nigerian Judges are fearless and God fearing but they are few.
Having lived and worked in Jamaica and travelled in Europe i think Nigeria Police Force is one of the most babaric police force in the world. After the incident, i was afraid to get into any aurgument with any Nigeria police whenever i am on holiday in Nigeria. I warned my son on holiday in Nigeria this year never to enter into aurgument with any Nigeria police. History is littered with Nigerians who have been killed by Nigerian police force. Dele Udo was shot and killed by a Nigerian police and heaven did not fall because of that. Kunle Adepeju was kiilled by police in the 70s during student demonstration and nothing happened to the police who killed him.
I am a nurse by profession but i decided to study law in United Kingdom after this incident; the truth i found while studying law made me to be ashamed of my country Police Force. Nigerian Police Force is not operating within any known International law recognised anywhere in the world. Whenever i see a British Police around in UK i feel safe despite the racism going on in UK and mistrust of the police by the black people and minority group.
Nigeria Police Force needs total overhauling and the earlier this is done the better for the nation. Extra judicial killings by Nigerian Police Force is very unfortunate for the nation. The Attorney General and Minister for Justice of Nigeria was killed and the killers are now on the corridors of power in the same country, what is the fate of the common men in the street. Don't aurgue with Nigerian police if you are on holiday in Nigeria, it is not good for your health and safety. The draconian law under which the Police Force is operating should be abolished with immediate effect.
While I sympathise with the gentleman from the Uk on the treatment meted on him by the Police, I would like to point out that it is irresponsible of him to assume that the judiciary is rotten and will condone recklessness from the Police. He did not even try to file charges so how would he know what the judge would have done. Also, saying that the people that killed the Former AGF are in the corridors of power begs belief. If he knows who they, I am sure he will receive a hefty reward for turning them in. You do not have to bribe anybody if you don't want to. I am a legal practitioner and have seen so many people get bailed without a dime changing hands. He should have insisted on that principle. Both the person that offers the bribe and he that receives are culpable.
lol, I think this is great! It's time we went back to the ancient way of doing these types of things. The sooner we catch on in the USA the better the whole world will be!
How can someone say the judicial system is effective in Nigeria. pls it is easy to say he should have tried to sue, but remember you wouldn't fight for his family if he gets killed by the brutal police officers.....
Also how come nobody is commenting on the GUNS BEING USED BY NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE.. THOSE WEAPONS ARE OUT OF DATE AND THE FUNCTIONING GUNS ARE NOT MEANT TO BE USED FOR STREET COMBAT. LAGOS IS HIGHLY POPULATED, THEREFORE IT IS EASY FOR INNOCENT ONES TO BE KILLED WHILE THE POLICE ARE SHOOTING AT CRIMINALS, BULLET FROM THOSE GUNS CAN TRAVEL UP TO 2 MILES.. THEREFORE THERE IS HIGHER CHANCE AN INNOCENT PERSON IS SHOT AT EACH TIME THE POLICE SHOOT SUCH WEAPONS... WHAT THE NIGERIAN POLICE NEED ARE PISTOLS THAT CAN BE EASILY CONTROLLED AND WON'T TRAVEL SO FAR TO HIT INNOCENT ONES.. THEY NEED TO COPY THE U.S.A POLICE SYSTEM....................
THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO SPEND MONEY IN TRAINING EDUCATED PEOPLE TO POLICE THE COUNTRY NOT JUST LEAVING ILLITERATES TO KILL INNOCENT ONES ALL IN THE NAME OF FIGHTING ARMED ROBBERS.. NIGERIAN POLICE ARE SO AFRIAD TO FIGHT ARM ROBBERS. THERE END UP KILLING THE POOR INNOCENT ONES SO IT CAN LOOK LIKE THEY ARE FIGHTING AND KILLING CRIMINALS,,,,