While Vigilante groups might fill security gaps in the short terms, there is need to strengthen the oversight of these groups. Their actions might not adhere to established legal standards, potentially leading to abuses of power and human rights violations as seen in the incident in Taraba State. Without proper oversight, it may become difficult to monitor their actions and hold them responsible for misconduct. Establishing clear accountability frameworks helps in tracking their activities and ensuring they operate within legal bounds which prevents the transformation of such groups into criminal organizations, capable of being exploited for political or personal gains.
The audacious and recurring issue of extended detention periods by the police, which stands in direct violation of our national laws including the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is worrisome. The Constitution guarantees the fundamental human right to personal liberty, which stipulates that no individual shall be deprived of their freedom without due process of law. This includes the right to be promptly informed of charges, the right to a fair trial, and the right to be brought before a court with the stipulated timeframe of 24 hours and in certain instances 48 hours. Despite these clear legal mandates, there have been recurring instances where individuals are subjected to prolonged detention without timely judicial oversight. This practice not only contravenes the provisions of the Constitution but also undermines public trust in the Nigeria Police Force and the Justice sector as a whole. It also contravenes the fundamental right of presumption of innocence.
The shooting of unarmed women protesters in Delta State and the accidental death of a police officer by a stray bullet fired by another police officer are deeply distressing. These incidents highlight significant flaws in the management and control of the protests/crowd. It is important that the rights of individuals to protests are protected and that all actions taken by law enforcement are measured, appropriate, and in strict accordance with established protocols and human rights standards. Also, there is an increased need to implement community focused strategies to build trust and cooperation between the Nigeria Police and the communities they serve.
