THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA 2005 - UNDP Nigeria ...

Mr. David Omojola a Deputy Commissioner of Police at Zone D Command, Onikan , Lagos in whichthey stated their own side of the story.The gross violations that resulted from the communal conflict both on the part of the police anddifferent factions in the community is in violation of articles, 3,5,7,8,1,13,&17 of the UDHR, Art.,2, 10,1of ICCPR, Art 2,3,4,6& 9 of African Charter on Human & People’s Rights and Section35,39,41,& 42 ofthe CFRN.We recommend that a judicial panel of inquiry should be set up to look into the immediate and remotecauses of the conflict that engulfed the entire community and recommend appropriate measures toredress the injustices and human rights violations perpetrated by the police and other parties to theconflict.RECOMMENDATIONS(i) Law enforcement and security agencies must be neutral and non­partisan in theiroperations especially in disputes between political and social groups.(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)The provisions of the Constitution on the maintenance of law and order are unsatisfactoryas they give the governor of a state no control or authority over the police within theirdomain.There is need for the establishment of peace forums in all states and communities thathave suffered destructive and violent conflict to enable stakeholders to dialogue with eachother with a view to finding solutions to the problems.Public inquiries, judicial or otherwise, should be established to investigate each instance ofviolent conflict to ascertain the roles played by individuals, groups and public agencies,damage to property, loss of life and injury, for purposes of punishment and compensation.Findings of such inquiries should be made public.Government should evolve a mechanism that enables early detection of impendingbreakdown of law and order to enhance timely response.In view of the frequency and intensity of violent conflict throughout the country, the Federaland States Governments, Non­Governmental and Community Based Organisations shouldcollaborate on a sustained peace building program in the affected areas.76