World Human Rights Day: Osun Civil Societies demand stiffer sanctions for recalcitrant security operatives
Abimbola Abatta
Osun Civil Societies Coalition (OCSC), the umbrella body of Civil Society groups in Osun State has called for stiffer sanctions of erring security operatives in the state.
This is even as the group condemned in totality what was described as “wanton attacks, arrests and dehuminisation of activists, journalists, rights crusaders who seek the defence of human rights.”
The group disclosed this in a statement issued and signed by the Chairman, Osun Civil Societies’ Coalition, Comrade Waheed Lawal, in commemoration of 2021 World Human Rights Day.
Lawal, speaking for the group, also called for justice in the case of Babai and other victims of right abuse in Nigeria.
Recall that last week, a trigger-happy police officer had reportedly shot a truck driver, Mallam Kabiru Babai to death in Osogbo.
The statement read in part, “Over the years, our group, OCSC has been at the forefront of campaign and actions against the acts of highhandedness of security agencies especially the Police as it concerns the harassment of innocent citizens among others in the country.
“We cannot shy away from the fact that Nigeria has been subjected to ridicule among the comity of nations because of the excessive disrespect to the dignity and fundamental freedoms of the citizens by security agents.
“From 2019 till date, the situation has continued to deteriorate that even, the #ENDSARS protests organised by the angry Youths in 2020 to call for the proscription of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police following cases of extra-judicial killings and other nefarious activities a year after is still raging and even worse than it was before the nationwide mass action.
“Police brutality, harassment of the youth is also on the rise again in Osun.
“This year, we renew our age-long desire for a reformed, civilised and citizen oriented Police Force. Just last week, a 33-year old father of a four-year-old with a heavily pregnant wife, Kabiru Babai, was gruesomely murdered by a cop at Ota-Efun, Osogbo.
“Asides that, the Police in its sinister operations have jettisoned the name tags on their uniforms as most policemen especially those on patrol and special operations do not have it on them during their evil operations.
“We also acknowledge that the security agencies in Osun have been found wanton of unlawful extortion, breaking into innocent citizens’ residences on the guise of them being suspected internet fraudsters which trample on their human rights as citizens of Osun State.
“It is no longer news that the average Nigerian has completely lost faith and confidence in the men and women paid with taxpayers money to protect them. The police leadership should act on this and nip it in the bud.
“We are also worried that Nigeria judiciary is being desecrated, as security agents have ceased to accord the temple of justice its maximum respect. We totally reject intimidation of our justices under any guise. The sanctity of judiciary must be respected.”
