Abstract
This paper examines human rights violations carried out by law enforcement officers during the COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria. These include torture, inhuman treatment and extra-judicial killings. It examines the rights violated under international, regional and Nigerian laws. It also considers judicial decisions. It examines the laws prohibiting torture, inhuman treatment and extra-judicial killings along with factors responsible for persistent human rights violations in Nigeria by law enforcement officers such as inconsistent prosecution of erring officers and lack of protection of victims from threats and reprisal attacks which has made conviction difficult. It concludes that until these factors amongst others are addressed, law enforcement officers will continue to violate the rights of Nigerians with impunity. Keywords - COVID-19, Human Rights, Lockdown, Regulation. DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/100-08 Publication date: August 31 st 2020
Highlights
The corona virus disease reported in China in December 20191 and spread to Nigeria through an Italian man who travelled from Italy to Nigeria on 27 February 2020.2 The virus has since spread to thirty four States and Federal Capital Territory, with 13,464 infected persons, 4206 discharged persons and 365 deaths in Nigeria as at 9 June 2020.3
This paper examines the rights violated by law enforcement officers during the C0VID-19 lockdown and considers COVID-19 Regulation, 2020 of the Federal Government
Re-orientation of officers and strong political will on the part of the Government to deal with erring officers, amongst other measures, as solution frameworks for curbing acts of disrespect for human rights by law enforcement officers in Nigeria
Summary
The corona virus disease reported in China in December 20191 and spread to Nigeria through an Italian man who travelled from Italy to Nigeria on 27 February 2020.2 The virus has since spread to thirty four States and Federal Capital Territory, with 13,464 infected persons, 4206 discharged persons and 365 deaths in Nigeria as at 9 June 2020.3The rapid spread of the virus led the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to enact COVID-19 Regulation, 2020 ordering the immediate lockdown of Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja as a result of the large number of infected persons.4 States including Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, Oyo and Rivers States gave lockdown orders and closed their boundaries, to disallow inter-state movement except for those rendering essential services.
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