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The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has called on the Nigerian authorities to take urgent steps in dealing with the underlying problem of violations committed by the security forces.
Bachelet made the call in on Thursday in Lagos, saying that after years of reported violations being inadequately dealt with, there needed to be “a root and branch re-examination of the entire security sector and its civilian oversight’’.
She said this should include a full-scale review of rules of engagement and training systems and methods.
According to her, the way to restore trust and bring back peace to the streets of Nigeria is for the authorities to take immediate concrete steps to show they are genuinely committed to tackling impunity, after years of inaction.
Bachelet condemned the use of “excessive and disproportionate force’’ by Nigerian forces in Lagos on Tuesday, and urged the government to make stronger efforts to bring security officers guilty of crimes against civilians to justice.
“While the number of casualties of the shooting at the Lekki toll plaza in Lagos is still not clear, there is little doubt that this was a case of excessive use of force, resulting in unlawful killings.
“Reports that CCTV cameras and lighting were deliberately disabled prior to the shooting are even more disturbing as, if confirmed, they suggest this deplorable attack on peaceful protesters was premeditated, planned and coordinated.