The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned unwarranted attacks launched on its premises by armed policemen who claimed to be dispersing members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) on procession on Monday.
The Commission’s Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, noted that the office premises were smoked with tear gas while live bullets were freely fired piercing through vehicles and shattering glasses.
He said it was by divine intervention that no staff of the Commission was touched by the bullets even though most were yet to recover from the shocks.
Ojukwu who called for investigation of the incident by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police and the Inspector General of Police, noted that Monday’s attack was not the first time armed police men had invaded the premises with life bullets while nothing was done to bring the culprits to book despite complaints by the Commission.
Giving account of the ordeal, the Executive Secretary said, “At about 12.00hours this afternoon, being 23rd March 2020, the Commission was having a management meeting at the council chambers when we heard sporadic gunshots outside.
“When the management comprising all the Directors and the Executive Secretary came out of the chambers, we saw that the entire compound had been smoked and we all ran back into the council chambers because of the tear gas. When the effect of the tear gas reduced, the management went downstairs to assess the situation.
“Having assessed the situation, we are of the view that the premises of the Commission was deliberately attacked by the police with not only tear gas canisters but with live bullets.
“The drivers door glass of one of the staff vehicles parked in the compound was pierced with two bullet holes while the drivers door frame had a live bullet presently lodged inside it. The window panel of the glass window of the security gate house was also pierced by a bullet hole.
Saying that it has become habitual for police men to attack its premises and staff while performing their legitimate business, Ojukwu said: “Now, this is not the first time the commission was attacked directly by officers of the Nigerian Police Force.
“Several officers of the Commission investigating complaints of human rights violation have in the past been assaulted and intimidated by officers of the Nigerian Police.
“It will be recalled that on 23rd April 2018, the Commission was also attacked by officers of the Nigerian Police with tear gas which destroyed cars and smashed windows.
“This was reported to then Commissioner of police FCT and the then Inspector General of Police. Nothing to the knowledge of the Commission was done by the authorities despite all the complaints of the Commission.
“The Commission bore the brunt of replacing all damaged properties including staff and visitors vehicles that were damaged during that incident.”
While emphasizing the need for proper investigation of the current incident and apportionment of appropriate punishment to deter similar attack in further, he said: “The present incident is one too many. The leadership and staff of the Commission have been severally threatened in the course of their official duties by police officers.
“This portends grave danger for the Defence of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Nigeria. The premises of the Commission just like the courts should be one of such place where every Nigerian should feel free, where human rights must be respected and staff should be able to carry out their constitutional mandate without fear of intimidation.
“We view this as an attack on the Commission and further confirms our belief that most of the officers of the Nigerian Police act with impunity with regard to their law enforcement duties.
“The police supposedly tear gassed members of the banned IMN who were peacefully processing along Aguiyi Ironsi Street where the head office of the NHRC is located. But the attack was deliberately targeted at the Commission.
“Other government agencies along Aguiyi Ironsi Street may have felt the effect of the tear gas, but none of them reported live bullets shot into their compounds destroying official and personal properties.
“These constant attacks by the police have made the work of staff and management of the Commission more risky than that of other non-uniformed government agencies.
“The Commission requests that there must be accountability for these attacks. It is because the earlier attacks were not punished that this reoccurrence has happened.
“We therefore call on the Commissioner of Police FCT, the Inspector General of Police and the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to take immediate action in line with their duties to safeguard the Commission in the performance of its duties.”
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