KANO BOMBINGS- NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION CALLS FOR THOROUGH INVESTIGATION AND ADEQUATE MEASURES TO GUARANTEE THE SAFETY OF CITIZENS

ABUJA, 22 JANUARY, 2012.

The National Human Rights Commission has expressed deep concern over the spate of killings in Kano and called on the Federal Government to carry out thorough investigation and take immediate steps to guarantee the safety and welfare of citizens throughout the country.

Reports received by the Commission from various sources confirmed that coordinated bombings and gunfire targeted at police and security formations resulted in the death of unspecified number of persons and injuries to many others, including security personnel, civil servants and other innocent citizens. This led to the imposition of curfew in Kano metropolis and the launching of a large scale security operation to apprehend the attackers.

The Commission’s Executive Secretary Prof. Bem Angwe said ‘this is a sad development which has widened the scope and increased the intensity of the operations of armed groups and decisive action must be taken at all levels to forestall widespread violence and serious violations of human rights in the country’.

 He decried the proliferation of small arms and improvised explosive devices which he said ‘exacerbated the precarious security situation experienced in many cities in North Eastern Nigeria that has now extended to Kano in the North West.’

Prof Angwe noted that violence triggers a series of violations of rights and reminded perpetrators of such violent acts of the need to respect and uphold the sanctity of human lives. He therefore urged all aggrieved persons to eschew violence and engage constructively on issues they feel strongly about with the relevant authorities.

He observed that one of the main purposes of government is to secure the lives and property of citizens and called for the development of strategies for improved security of citizens, which should identify the factors motivating armed groups operating in the country as a basis for positive engagement and consensus building.

Prof Angwe also advised that deployment of forces to apprehend suspects of the attack should be guided by clear and acceptable rules of engagement with due regards to proportionality in the use of force, to avoid further violation of rights.

The Commission, he said, is currently carrying out a human rights audit of the situation arising from the escalation of violence in some major cities across the country and called for the cooperation of all stake holders towards the success of the exercise.

The Commission enjoins members of the society including community leaders, civil society organizations, the academia and faith based organisations to play an active role in engaging with the relevant groups and governmental authorities on the present circumstances, with a view to suggesting ways of restoring peace and harmony in the country.

The Commission condoles with the families who lost their beloved ones in the attack, including that of the Channels Television reporter Enenche Akogwu who died while covering the incident.