Extrajudicial killings, rape take central stage in COVID-19 lockdown – Report
Emmanuel Thomas l Monday, July 06, 2020
LAGOS, Nigeria – Extrajudicial killings and cases of rape continued to take central stage even as the Federal and state governments continued to relax the lockdown following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a report by CLEEN Foundation, a non-governmental organisation in Nigeria has revealed.
The research, which was carried out in the South East between April and June, 2020 saw the deployment of 95 volunteers and coordinators in the five states in the region, tutored on the use of Tella Application for monitoring compliance with government directives.
The reports, which have been forwarded to government agencies including the National Human Rights Commission, the Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police Force (Complaints Response Unit and the Gender Desk Unit), by CLEEN Foundation recorded 12 cases of extrajudicial killings by security personnel during the period.
Abia State accounted for six (6) deaths involving officers of the Nigeria Police Force. The outcry that trailed the killings led to the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police in Abia State who was accused of inaction in the face of the killings of citizens. In Anambra State, four deaths were recorded involving the Nigeria Police and the State COVID-19 Task Force enforcing government directives.
“In Enugu State, a 27-yr-old 500 level Law student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Augustine Ugwu, was allegedly murdered by an officer of the Nigeria Police Force at Nsukka. Furthermore, two persons were killed by Naval officers at Ngor Okpala LGA of Imo State within the period under review”, CLEEN Foundation reported, noting that the unbearable rate of extra judicial killings in the region forced the House of Representatives in May 2020 to pass a resolution directing security agencies in Nigeria to bring to justice the officials who were involved in the killing and other abuses during the lockdown.
Besides, there have been calls for justice for the victims by citizens but as at the time of writing, the perpetrators were yet to be brought to book.
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Sexual and gender based violence
There is an upsurge in sexual and gender based violence cases reported in the South East within this period and most of them are related to domestic abuse. According to the research, it is worrisome that several cases go unreported and most times unprosecuted.
“A major sexual violence case reported within the period is that of the 39-year-old man, Charles Okoro, accused of raping a 7-year-old girl, who lives in the same compound with her single mum in Aba, Abia state. The story went viral because it was alleged that officers of the Nigeria Police Force were trying to ‘broker peace’ instead of arraigning the suspect and bringing him to justice.
“In a related development, a mother of four children was raped and murdered by a suspected ritualist at Umu-chiaku Lowa Uboma in Ihitte/Uboma LGA of Imo State.
Brutality by Security Operatives
The report showed that citizens in the South East wear face masks not because they want to protect themselves from the pandemic but for fear of being brutalized by security personnel. Observers reported military officers at various checkpoints, brutalizing and dehumanizing citizens for not wearing facemasks in Abia state.
There have been outcries by drivers and road users over cases of bribery and extortion by security officials on the roads within the south-east region, especially at the borders before the ban on interstate movement was lifted.
“There was an incident in Onuimo LGA, at Umuna junction Mopol checking point, Imo state on Saturday, 16th May 2020 where a trailer driver was brutalized by police officers due to minor disagreement on compulsory extortion fee imposed on Nigerians by policemen. The incident escalated into serious crisis between police and trailer drivers which nearly led to a breakdown of law and order.
“There have been reports by drivers and road users in Enugu state over cases of bribery and extortion by security officials (State Covid 19 taskforce) on the roads within the state during this reporting period. Further reports from Ukpo, Dunukofia LGA of Anambra state indicated that security operatives (including local vigilante groups) harass and extort money from people from 8:00 pm because of the curfew”, CLEEN Foundation noted, with reports that people were forced to pay as high as N10,000 or have their cars impounded.
“Bystanders in front of their houses were also harassed by security agents. Extortion by security officers was commonly observed and reported in almost all the LGAs in Imo State. It was further reported that security officers at strategic locations including borders were seen collecting moneys from drivers and passengers to allow free movements within and outside the State”, the report noted, citing instances at security checking were local youths were used as middlemen to collect the money.
The extortion by security officers is still in progress in almost all the LGAs and borders of Imo State according to reports from observers.
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Human rights violations
During the COVID-19 lockdown period, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) published human rights violations recorded during the lockdown. In the South East, Enugu state topped the list of human rights violations reported during the first week of May 2020.
Out of 104 complaints and incidents of alleged human rights violations received by the Commission from April 27th to May 3rd 2020, Enugu State had the highest recorded cases with 13 incidents followed by Imo State with 12 cases respectively.
“The conduct and activities of security agents and state Covid-19 taskforce trying to enforce the government directives in curtailing the spread in Enugu state contributed to the high number of human rights cases as documented”, CLEEN Foundation said, adding that it will continue to monitor developments and report on disciplinary measures taking against the perpetrators of these crimes.
Security incidents
Several public safety and security incidents were recorded in the South-East from April to June 2020. For example, security agents confronted members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) protesting the killing of Christians and civilians in the country on June 8 2020. Even though no fatality was recorded, it is reported that about seven protesters were detained after the incident in Umuahia.
There were reports of kidnapping within Abia state especially in Aba. Vanguard Newspapers reported on May 9 of the rescue of two victims by officers of the Nigeria Police Force. Other security related incidents recorded in Imo State include armed robbery, assassination and kidnapping in different parts of the state especially Okigwe and Onuimo LGAs.
On Tuesday, June 2 2020, a wealthy young man was gruesomely murdered by an unknown-gunmen within Okigwe town. In addition, there has been several attempts of kidnapping with heavy shootings in Okigwe town within the reporting period.
As a result, there is fear and apprehension within Okigwe and Onuimo communities in Imo State. A case of killing of Mr. Ozoemena Iriaka, a 75 years old man farmer from Agwa community allegedly by suspected herdsmen was recorded at Oguta LGA of Imo State. This ugly incident left the community with serious tension, although the Imo state Commissioner of Police has intervened to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
Another murder incident took place in Okigwe, Imo State on Tuesday 30th June, 2020. Three commercial cyclist operators were attacked by armed robbers who pretended to be customers along Umulolo road in Okigwe LGA and took their motorcycles away to an unknown destination.
Two of the victims died on the spot, while one is alive and receiving treatment at Federal Medical Centre Umuahia. The research noted that there is tension in Okigwe at the moment as a result of the incident as the victims were alleged to be from the northern part of the country.
Public compliance to COVID-19 directives
The South East governors responded to the pandemic swiftly through various measures including lockdowns, curfews, ban on public gatherings and events, restriction of interstate movements, compulsory wearing of face masks and social distancing guidelines among others.
Directive on Stay at Home Order was partially complied with in the region. In Abia state, the restriction order was partially lifted in May due to its crippling economic effect on the citizens who are mostly into commerce and trade.
Presently, state governors are threatening to impose further restriction following the rising number of cases in the region. In Enugu state, this directive was totally complied with by civil servants and partially complied with by the rest of the public, particularly those in the commercial sector.
The partial compliance forced the governors to impose curfews (10:00 pm to 6:00 am) in the state and later total closure of main markets such as Ogbete/Akwata, Mayor and Garki. This restriction order was partially lifted in early June 2020 due to its crippling economic effect on the citizens.
But the Anambra state governor declared two weeks of total lockdown in the state on the 11th of April and lifted it on the 25th April, 2020. Even with the stay at home order, the citizens of Anambra state struggled to comply with the order on the grounds that they feed themselves from their daily activities without support from the government and that staying at home would result to hunger and starvation. Also, in the wake of possible extension of the stay at home order by the Governor, some market associations threatened to protest should the Governor attempt to extend the lock down.
The pressure from religious bodies, traders and the clamour for survival by the people made the Governor to lift the stay at home order while putting in place strict measures to which the citizens, market traders and churches must abide to control the spread of the virus.
Imo state was also on total lockdown for a while to curtail the spread of the virus. Presently, the stay at home order is no longer active in some parts of the state due to some obvious reasons including hunger, non-payment of salaries, and lack of palliative supports from the government.
Physical distancing
There are reports of general apathy to these guidelines especially in banks, worship centers and markets in Abia and Enugu states. Despite the efforts of government officials in getting community leaders, religious bodies and markets to commit to enforcement of social distancing prior to the partial relaxation, citizens threw caution to the wind, going about their normal businesses.
Most citizens were not wearing face masks and the few citizens seen wearing facemasks either hang it on their jaw or wear it inappropriately. Besides, the quality of facemasks and their efficacy in protecting citizens is questionable.
Majority of Imo state citizens find it very difficult to comply with the compulsory facemasks order. They see those obeying the rules as possible carriers of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Observers in the field noted that most people wear facemasks not because of protection but just to be able to cross Police/Army checkpoints or gain access to the banks and other financial institutions.
“There are reports of non-compliance at various LGAs and communities, especially in churches, markets and commercial buses. Reports from Nwangele, Obowo, Ahiazu Mbaise, Orlu, Okigwe, Onuimo, Ngor Okpala, Orlu, Isu in Imo state suggested that the poor compliance may be ascribed to poor sensitization of the local communities on the reality of Covid-19 and urgent need for adequate infection prevention and control measures.
“The zeal for physical distancing has reduced to the extent that people are boldly hugging themselves in the markets, burial and marriage ceremonies without safety considerations. Furthermore, the physical distancing directive is not being adhered to in Anambra state as most citizens fail to comply at the various local food markets visited around Nnewi, Nkpor and Onitsha amongst others. Unfortunately, it is higher within urban areas like Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi.
Ban on Public Gatherings
The report showed that there is reasonable compliance to the various state governments’ guidelines on gatherings as community leaders and local government chairmen are being used to enforce this in the region.
Abia and Enugu States Government are issuing permit for events with strict directives on number of attendees. While burials are allowed, events like weddings and other non-essential gatherings remain banned in the states. Public gatherings were banned at the beginning of the lockdown when the Anambra state government swung into action to prevent the virus from either entering the state or spreading or spreading the virus.
The traditional rulers and vigilantes were enjoined to ensure compliance at the community level. Violators were flogged and their activities disrupted. However, after lifting of the sit at home order, the government directed that gathering at public functions should not exceed more than thirty people including traditional ceremonies and burial.
These notwithstanding, there are reports that Bars and Restaurants opening within Awka do not adhere to the directive and since they open and operate at night, there is little or no obstruction from enforcement agencies.
Inter-State Movements
The commercial nature of the states in the region made compliance a Herculean task. For instance, due to the economic status of the city of Aba, most traders from surrounding states continued to break the travel ban. It is therefore not a surprise that about 70% of the new and rising cases in the state are being reported in Aba, Abia State.
On the other hand, Enugu State is a gateway state to the Eastern region of Nigeria sharing boundaries with Kogi and Benue states. Therefore, most traders from northern states have continued to break the travel ban to visit Eastern part of Nigeria through Enugu border communities.
During the period under review, there were media and eyewitness reports of influx of Almajiris from the North to the East despite the lockdown and interstate travel ban.
State governors in the area continue to condemn the complicity of security agencies in making the borders porous by receiving bribes and allowing visitors in the region despite the ban. The reported cases of migration of Northern youths into the region are one too many which has led the states to set up its own taskforce to complement the police at border points.
A particular index case in Abakpa, Enugu East LGA is a woman who was said to have travelled from Plateau state to Enugu State where Covid-19 related symptoms manifested few days after her arrival.
There are free movements of people both within the LGAs and also across the borders of Imo State and neighbouring states such as Abia, Anambra and Rivers States.
The research identified several gaps with recommendations, which included the need to retrain personnel of security agencies in the region on non-violent policing and enforcement of Covid-19 guidelines to ensure synergy with other government agencies and respect for the rights of South East citizens.
“There should be continuous public sensitization and provision of hotlines for reporting and documenting cases of human rights abuses by security agents and cases of sexual and gender based violence against women and girls.
“There is need for continuous sensitization and advocacy in all the states in South East due to the rising surge in community transmissions of the coronavirus disease”, the report said, advocating for the need to provide personal protective kits to security operatives in the region, given the rising cases especially with over 10 police officers testing positive to COVID-19 in Abia state recently.
“The States Governors should consider informal policing groups to support the formal policing groups in the enforcement of the ban on inter-state movement at the borders; The South East Governors Forum should prioritize improving safety and security of the citizens always and in all places, especially in inner cities and communities.
“There is need for an assessment of the possible impact of COVID-19 on security agents in the South East and the entire country”, the CLEEN Foundation report noted.
