Arbitrary Executions, Perpetrators and Impunity

Abstract

Despite the guarantee of fundamental rights in the Nigerian constitution, and in various regional and international legislation, the large scale violations of human rights of Nigerians have recorded groundswell. The alarming rate at which arbitrary executions are being perpetrated by personnel of the Nigerian Police Force and other law enforcement officers saddled with the task of protecting the citizens’ calls for an urgent attention.The most sacrosanct right, which is the right to life, is now being taken arbitrarily by officers of the Force. This violation has taken a worrisome dimension which requires the concerted efforts of several stakeholders. Nigerians have continued to live in perpetual fear and distrust of law enforcement officers because of their cavalier nature. Arbitrary killings have become a common place in Nigeria. In fact, it has reached its apogee in this present democratic dispensation in which the rule of law is supposed to be respected. Regardless of complains from different quarters which has continued to fall on deaf hears the government has failed to take effective measures to curb this ordeal. Apparently, impunity for perpetrators is one of the main reasons why extrajudicial executions continue unabated. Sequel to the above, this paper shall address the various shortcomings in the Nigerian Police Force which has thus exacerbated their criminal acts. Additionally, the failings of Nigerian government in performing its obligations of identifying and bringing perpetrators to justice will equally be considered.In sum, far-reaching recommendations will be made towards combating the menace of extrajudicial killings by law enforcement agents in Nigeria with particular attention drawn to the longstanding issue of impunity.