Cops-turned-killers: 8 killed extra-judicially in 3 months

Eight Nigerians died in alleged extrajudicial killings by policemen between November 2018 and March 2019, Daily Trust has gathered. Reports of extrajudicial shootings and disproportionate use of force by policemen across the country came on the front burner on March 20 with the death of the NSCDC officer, Ogar Jumbo. Jumbo, an Assistant Superintendent of […]

Eight Nigerians died in alleged extrajudicial killings by policemen between November 2018 and March 2019, Daily Trust has gathered.

Reports of extrajudicial shootings and disproportionate use of force by policemen across the country came on the front burner on March 20 with the death of the NSCDC officer, Ogar Jumbo.

Jumbo, an Assistant Superintendent of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), died in Nyanya, Abuja after an altercation with some policemen on duty.

He was allegedly beaten with a baton in front of his wife and children over violation of traffic rules before he slumped and died at a nearby hospital.

The Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu on March 23 ordered a speedy investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

In a statement, police spokesman, ACP Frank Mba, said while condoling with the family, the IGP reassured that everything humanly possible would be done to ensure that justice prevails in the case.

Mba said the IGP called for calm from the family and friends of the deceased and the entire public, reiterating that the case would not be swept under the carpet.

On Sunday, March 31, policemen in Lagos killed 36-year-old Kolade Johnson who was said to be watching football on television at a viewing centre.

Johnson was hit by a stray bullet during a raid by the anti-cultism unit of the Lagos State Police Command at Onipetesi, along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, visited the family and vowed to bring the killers to book.

The incident sparked nationwide outrage, with the police authorities promising Nigerians that the killers would be brought to book.

The police subsequently revealed the identities of the officers involved in a tweet on its official handle as Inspector Ogunyemi Olalekan and Sergeant Godwin Orji of the Anti Cultism Squad.

“The men suspected to have carried out the shooting of Kolade Johnson have been apprehended and subjected to internal disciplinary procedures.

“The CP has revealed their names as Inspector Ogunyemi Olalekan and Seargent Godwin Orji attached to Anti Cultism Squad,” read the tweet.

Data on the three months period gathered and analyzed by Daily Trust showed that on November 6, 2018, a policeman in Lagos injured a female complainant around Ikeja SODV Court. He allegedly sprayed tear gas on her eyes for reporting a rapist.

Another incident happened in Nembe, Rivers State where a policeman allegedly killed one person and injured several others on November 22, 2018.

A fourth person was reported killed at Tinacious Road, Edepie, Bayelsa State on November 23, 2018, when a policeman raided their shop and shot the victim at the back of his neck.

A Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) policeman reportedly killed one person at Iyana-Ipaja area Alimosho LGA of Lagos State on November 28, 2018 over a traffic violation.

Police Sergeant Williams Enah killed an Air Force personnel in Calabar, Cross River State on December 27, 2018, while the policeman was trying to disperse a crowd.

A policeman on January 7, 2019 reportedly shot two drivers in Lokoja, Kogi State for refusing to give bribe.

On March 3, 2019, a policeman in Amukoko, Lagos shot and killed one Abeeb Dauda who was mistaken for a trouble maker.

On March 18, 2019, a stray bullet from the rifle of a policeman killed Tawakalitu Tiamiyu in Ikoroodu, Lagos.

Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) stipulates the right to life, however, Section 33(2) provides some exemptions.

It states that a person shall not be regarded as having been deprived of his life if he dies as a result of the use of force to such extent and in such circumstances as are permitted by law.

It said such force as is reasonably necessary for the defence of any person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property.

Also, the police are permitted to use force in order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained and for the purpose of suppressing a riot, insurrection or mutiny.

However,   an analysis of domestic rules on use of force by law enforcement: law on police use of force worldwide noted that this provision by the constitution is not in conformity with international standards.

It stated that Section 214(1) of the constitution establishes the Nigeria Police Force. However, the force’s organization, duties and powers are set out in the 1943 Police Act.

It noted that Nigeria needs to amend its national legislation on the use of force by law enforcement officials to bring it in line with international standards.

It said extant rules are too permissive, allowing the use of firearms to protect property and in situations where there is no imminent threat of serious harm.

The National Coordinator, Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), Okechukwu Nwanguma, said these cases indicate that police abuse remains prevalent despite widespread public outcry and reform efforts.

“The EndSARS Campaign prompted a directive from the presidency to the former IGP to implement internal reforms and to the National Human Rights Commission to conduct public hearings and ensure justice in cases of gross human rights violation.

“Internal reform measures so far taken by the current police management are commendable as they have curtailed the excesses of SARS, the Intelligence Response Unit and other units which the Acting IGP ordered their disbandment.

“However, abuses by police officers are still widely reported across the country.  The Acting IGP was appointed very close to the commencement of elections. His attention may have been focused on ensuring security during the elections, but with the elections over, the IGP needs to now begin to pay attention to complaints about police abuse, corruption and misconduct.

“Lack of effective internal complaints and disciplinary control systems and external accountability mechanisms has contributed to the impunity that seems to protect police officers responsible for human rights abuses.

“The Acting IGP needs to demonstrate that he will not tolerate corruption and abuse by the police under his leadership. He needs to send out a clear message by ensuring that complaints are appropriately dealt with and perpetrators of violations appropriately sanctioned.

“The National Assembly needs to fast-track work on the Police Reform Bill which came up for public hearing in December 2018. That bill which seeks to repeal and re-enact the 1943 Colonial Police Act must be passed before the end of the current legislative calendar.

“The bill will provide a modern legal framework that will hopefully drive police reform and address some of the challenges and factors that drive police abuse and promote professionalism and accountability within the police,” Nwanguma said.

Police spokesman, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Frank Mba, did not respond to phone calls and messages asking him to react to these allegations at the time of filing this report.

With data compiled by Haruna Ibrahim