NBA Calls for Action Against Police Killings in Niger State

The NBA Minna Branch condemned police shootings and extrajudicial killings in Niger, demanding investigations, accountability, and compensation for victims. They highlighted recent incidents and stressed the need for police reforms to ensure public trust and protect human rights.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Minna Branch, has expressed deep concern over increasing reckless shootings and extrajudicial killings by police officers in Minna, Niger State. They called on the state police to carry out investigations and prosecute those involved, offer compensation to victims’ families, and put in place preventive measures to avoid similar occurrences in the future.

In a letter signed by the Chairman, Barr. Isyaku Barau, the NBA called the killings of innocent civilians unlawful, asserting that they violate fundamental human rights and undermine public faith in law enforcement. Barau referenced three recent incidents of excessive force, including the death of a Keke NAPEP rider and the shooting of a female immigration officer, as well as the murder of a young footballer allegedly by a drunken officer.

“These events are part of a troubling pattern of extrajudicial killings,” Barau remarked. The NBA urges the police command to take swift actions, particularly thorough investigations and accountability measures, alongside reassessing firearm handling protocols and ensuring psychological evaluations are conducted for active officers.

The branch cautioned that shielding those culpable would lead to significant legal action and public backlash, emphasizing the critical need to protect lives and property. They called for police reforms to help restore the necessary public confidence in the police forces.

The NBA Minna Branch’s statements highlight serious concerns regarding the increasing cases of extrajudicial killings by police in Niger State. Their demands for investigations, accountability, and police reforms underscore the urgent need for changes to protect civilians’ rights and ensure law enforcement is held responsible. Failure to address these concerns may lead to greater legal repercussions and public discontent.

Original Source: dailypost.ng