Various countries around the world have been taking strict action against people defying lockdown?rules by levying heavy fines, making arrests or simply pleading with them.
However, shocking reports from Nigeria claim that security personnel there have killed at least 18 people while enforcing lockdown rules. The total number of reported deaths because of COVID-19 itself are 12.?
A report claims that the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria has revealed that 18 people have died in 'extra-judicial killings' in eight separate incidents.?¡°It's a sheer display of impunity and reckless disregard for human life in law enforcement by security personnel,¡± the commission reportedly said.?
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases according to data is 407 in the country and the capital Abuja and the megacity of Lagos have been put under lockdown.?
The human rights commission reportedly claims that the Nigeria Correctional Service killed eight people and the Nigeria Police Force seven.?The Nigerian Army was responsible for two of the killings while the Ebonyi State Task Force in the region of that name was responsible for one, it is alleged.?
According to?yet another report, Anthony Ojukwu, the commission head, appeared on TV and said ¡®civilians¡¯ complaints of "brutality and killing" by security operatives were received from 24 out of Nigeria¡¯s 36 states between March 30 and April 13.'
There also have been reports of unlawful arrests, 19 incidents of seizure of property and 13 cases of extortion.?
The commission has accused security forces of violating human rights with 'excessive or disproportionate use of force, abuse of power, corruption and [no] adherence to international and national human rights laws'.?
On his part the National police spokesman Frank Mba said the commission was 'too general in its allegations'.?
¡°The commission should have given details of those killed by the police, their number, names and places where they were killed to enable us take appropriate actions,¡± he reportedly said.?
Lagos, Abuja and the state of Ogun have been under a lockdown since March 30. This lockdown has been extended for by more weeks.?Like other countries, the idea to put areas under lockdown is indeed the right one, but excessive forces resulting in the loss of lives can surely never be the answer.