HURIWA Warns Police: End Brutalization and Illegal Detention of Nigerians

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for an immediate end to alleged police harassment of innocent citizens, particularly in certain areas of Lagos.

HURIWA’s call comes in response to reports of plans to charge some state residents over a family land dispute. The association emphasized that it is not the police’s role to resolve family land issues.

Recently, HURIWA urged Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to investigate claims of unlawful demolitions by suspected armed hoodlums reportedly accompanied by police officers. The association stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all parties involved in the dispute.

Regarding the planned protest on August 1, HURIWA warned the police against using brutality on the streets. The rights group, which neither supports nor opposes the protest, highlighted that citizens have a legitimate right to peaceful assembly.

“The police should protect citizens, not brutalize them. They must avoid inflicting physical torture on Nigerian citizens,” HURIWA stated. “If any citizen or group decides to embark on a peaceful gathering or protest, there’s nothing wrong with citizens expressing their position.

“We call on the police to end the regime of brutality. The fastest indicator of a collapsing democracy is police brutality and harassment of citizens. Every Nigerian life should matter to the security forces.

“No citizen should face brutality, undue harassment, arbitrary arrest, illegal detention, or activities that undermine constitutional democracy and the rule of law, denying citizens their constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human rights.”