28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Two judicial commissions examined human rights violations of the police but no reports were made public ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 24165]

"No action was known to have been taken to bring to justice members of the security forces suspected of being responsible for grave human rights violations in previous years. Reports of two judicial commissions of inquiry were not made public. The commissions examined events in February 2005 – a raid by members of the JTF in Odioma, in which at least 17 people were killed, and a protest at the Escravosoil terminal, when soldiers fired on protesters."

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Overview on extrajudicial executions of the police ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 24166]

"Members of the police and security forces extrajudicially executed hundreds of people. These included killings by police during routine road checks or for refusing to pay a bribe, shootings of suspected armed robbers on arrest, and extrajudicial executions of detainees in police stations. The military were also frequently involved in extrajudicial executions, especially in the Niger Delta. On 27 March, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions stated at the Human Rights Council that Nigeria must end extrajudicial executions by police."

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Despite high numbers of police killings goverment and police officials encouraged the use of letal force against suspected armed robbers ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 24170]

"The acting IGP stated that in the first 100 days he was in office, 1,628 armed robbers were arrested and 785 were killed by the police. NGOs alleged that the number of killings was higher. Despite the alarming number of such killings, the government took very little action to address the problem. On the contrary, the police were encouraged to shoot armed robbers. On 23 October, the Commissioner of Police of the Federal Capital Territory, for example, ordered his men to shoot on sight armed robbers caught in the act of committing a crime."

Document(s): Open document

16.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Report form Amnesty International on human rights violations of police and security forces, focusing on torture and extrajudicial killings ("Nigerian police and security forces: Failure to protect and respect human rights [AFR 44/006/2008]") [ID 23437]

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Police officers regularly beat protesters, criminal suspects and detainees; they often mistreat civilians in attempts to extort money from them ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 19489]

"Although the constitution and law prohibit such practices and provide for punishment of such abuses, police, military, and security force officers regularly beat protesters, criminal suspects, detainees, and convicted prisoners. Police physically mistreated civilians regularly in attempts to extort money from them."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

785 suspected armed robbers killed by police in the first three month of the tenure of the new General Inspector of Police ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22716]

"On November 14, the new Inspector General of Police (IGP) announced official statistics showing that 785 suspected "armed robbers" had died in encounters with police in the three months since his tenure began. IGP Michael Okiro reported that 62 officers had been killed during the same time frame while attempting to apprehend suspected armed robbers. The statistics also indicated that police killed at least 8,564 persons between 2000 and October 2007. As a result of these announcements, the nongovernmental organization (NGO) Human Rights Watch called for a public inquiry into the disproportionate use of lethal force. The government did not open such an inquiry by year's end."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Federal Capital Territory: Islamic cleric shot by Police ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22717]

"On July 21, police from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command shot and killed Mallam Ibrahim, a respected Islamic cleric who was staying at the house of friend. According to eyewitnesses, four armed soldiers led by a civilian entered the house, followed by a team of police officers. When the police left, they claimed to have interrupted an armed robbery and to have loaded the corpse of one of the perpetrators in their vehicle."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Police and military use violence and lethal force at unauthorized roadblocks ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22719]

"Violence and lethal force at unauthorized police and military roadblocks and checkpoints continued during the year, despite multiple announcements by the inspector‑general of police that independent police roadblocks would be eliminated. Police generally ignored the orders. Security forces were known to kill persons while trying to extort money from them. For example, on November 8, a police officer in Anambra State shot and killed 15‑year‑old Daniel Offiali and wounded six other bus passengers after the driver refused to pay a $0.16 (20 naira) bribe. The police officer was reportedly dismissed from the National Police Force and arrested, but at year's end the status of the case was unknown.>"

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Police and military use excessive force to suppress unrest ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22720]

"Police and military personnel used excessive force and sometimes deadly force in the suppression of civil unrest, property vandalism, and interethnic violence."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Oyo State: Police killed two members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers during clash ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22721]

"On July 24, police shot and killed two persons in Omi-Adio in Oyo State during a clash with members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, who accused police of torturing and killing a union member the day before. The union members set the police station on fire and attacked the officer on duty. Police arrested 49 persons."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

UN Rapporteur reports endemic use of torture in law enforcement operations ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22776]

"There were reports that security forces tortured persons and used excessive force during the year. In March the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture visited the country at the government's invitation to assess the situation of ill treatment in the country. On the basis of discussions with detainees, visits to prisons and police stations, and forensic medical evidence collected over a one-week period, the rapporteur reported that torture was endemic in law enforcement operations, including police custody, and was often used to extract alleged confessions of guilt. According to his report, the methods of torture included flogging with whips; beating with batons and machetes; shooting a suspect in the foot; threatening a suspect with death and then shooting him with powder cartridges; suspension from the ceiling; and denying food, water, and medical treatment."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Security forces reportedly committed rape and other forms of sexual violence on women with impunity ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22780]

"There were credible reports during the year that security forces committed rape and other forms of sexual violence on women and girls with impunity. Police officials acknowledged that rape was a problem. Amnesty International (AI) reported that women were frequently raped while in detention but did not report the abuse because of the social stigma attached to rape and the fact that police officers were the perpetrators. On December 10, the Network on Police Reform in Nigeria said it had monitored 400 police stations in 13 states for a year and found that killings, torture, extortion, and rape had become routine because the authorities shielded police officers from the law."

Document(s): Open document

31.01.2008 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Police openly and routinely torture criminal suspects; 785 largely unexplained killings carried out during the current inspector general's first 90 days in office 2007 ("World Report 2008") [ID 22218]

"Law enforcement agencies have also subverted the rule of law. Police openly and
routinely torture criminal suspects and others, and have killed more than 8,000
Nigerians in the past eight years; the police carried out 785 largely unexplained
killings of alleged “armed robbers” during the current inspector general’s first 90
days in office in 2007. At the same time, police have refused to investigate
prominent politicians implicated in political violence and other human rights abuses."

Document(s): Open document

26.11.2007 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Army apologises for a 2001 attack on a community that killed some 1,000 people, but relatives and human rights advocates say the move falls short ("Mixed reaction to army's apology") [ID 21905]

Document(s): Open document

21.11.2007 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

According to Human Rights Watch, Nigerian police may have killed more than 10,000 people since 2000; police frequently tortures and executes suspects without trial, particularly those suspected of armed robbery ("Police accused of torturing and killing thousands") [ID 21791]

Document(s): Open document

18.11.2007 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch calls on the government to launch an independent public inquiry in light of official statistics indicating that police killed more than 8,000 Nigerians since the year 2000 ("Investigate Widespread Killings by Police") [ID 21907]

Document(s): Open document

15.11.2007 - Source: BBC News

Police chief says 785 suspected armed robbers have died in police encounters in last 90 days ("Hundreds of robbers shot") [ID 21792]

Document(s): Open document

11.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

According to witness statements collected by Amnesty International, police and security forces commit rape; mainly women are affected by sexual violence, lack of justice and a discriminating legislation ("Die lautlose Waffe") [ID 21794]

Document(s): Open document

06.2007 - Source: Freedom House

According to UN Special Rapporteur police use charges of armed robbery to force people to pay bribes and to justify unlawful killings ("Freedom in the World 2007") [ID 20570]

"A UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions said in 2005 that Nigerian police use armed robbery as a blanket charge to jail people when they refuse to pay bribes and to justify the unlawful killing of civilians. The local Centre for Law Enforcement Education in Nigeria estimates that police at checkpoints shoot about one in 20 motorists who refuse or fail to pay bribes."

Document(s): Open document

06.2007 - Source: Freedom House

According to a human rights commission 3 former military rulers were personally liable for extrajudicial killings while in power ("Freedom in the World 2007") [ID 20571]

"A human rights commission appointed by Obasanjo concluded that three of Nigeria’s former military rulers were personally liable for extrajudicial killings perpetrated while they were in power. The commission recommended that all three men—General Babangida, General Buhari, and General Abubakar—be banned from holding high office in the future."

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Lagos: Recently inaugurated human rights desks in police stations lacked adequate resources ("Annual Report 2007") [ID 20154]

"In June the Inspector General of Police inaugurated human rights desks in police stations in Lagos. However, according to human rights defenders, these mechanisms, where they existed, lacked adequate resources and were inefficient."

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Extrajudicial executions by the police and security forces still widespread ("Annual Report 2007") [ID 20161]

"Extrajudicial executions by members of the police and security forces continued to be widespread. These included civilians being killed by police during routine road checks or for refusing to pay a bribe, shootings of suspected armed robbers on arrest, and extrajudicial executions of detainees. Despite the alarming number of such killings, the government took very little action to address the problem."

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Abia State: In August 12 suspected armed robbers were reportedly extrajudicially executed by police ("Annual Report 2007") [ID 20162]

"In August, 12 suspected armed robbers, including a boy under the age of 18, were reportedly extrajudicially executed by police in Abia State. The victims had been arrested during a raid in which four other suspects were killed. On 10 August Abia police displayed the suspects to journalists and other spectators. An eyewitness stated that some of the suspects appeared to have gunshot wounds. On 11 August the dead bodies of the 12 suspects were seen dumped outside the morgue at a government hospital, reportedly taken there by police. No action was taken to investigate the deaths or bring the perpetrators to justice."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Port Harcourt: On 10 January police officers killed 2 suspected thieves; no investigation was opened ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19452]

"Abuses by poorly-trained, poorly-equipped, and poorly-managed police against civilians were common, and the police were rarely held accountable. During the year police, military, and anticrime personnel continued to use lethal force against suspected criminals. For example, on January 10, police officers killed two suspected thieves in the Rivers State city of Port Harcourt. A police spokesperson said the suspects, dressed in fake army uniforms, robbed several persons before they were killed by police. The government had not opened an investigation into the incident by year's end."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Aba: On February 13, military and police officers stormed the Ariaria market, killing 4 persons; no investigation was opened ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19454]

"On February 13, military and police officers stormed the Ariaria market in Aba, Abia State on the pretext of preventing vigilantes from operating there. A firefight ensued, and four persons were reportedly killed. No investigation had been opened by year's end."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Kano state: In June 2 brothers were severely beaten in custody; one of them died; no investigation was opened ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19455]

"In June the media reported that brothers Juth and Romanus Akpowbo were arrested in Kano State after having been accused of armed robbery of the staff quarters of Bayero University. Two weeks later, Juth Akpowbo died in the hospital without having been released from custody. Romanus Akpowbo was also in the hospital and said the two brothers had been severely beaten by police. The government did not open an investigation into the allegations by year's end."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Umuahia: In August police killed 12 suspected robbers; no charges were filed ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19457]

"In August police in Umuahia North Local Government Area killed 12 suspected robbers and left their bodies at a local mortuary. No charges were filed in the case."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Violence and lethal force at police and military roadblocks and checkpoints continued ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19458]

"Violence and lethal force at police and military roadblocks and checkpoints continued during the year, despite the January 2005 announcement by the acting inspector-general of police that police roadblocks would be eliminated. Police generally ignored the order, and a policy of establishing roadblocks was formally reinstated in December after a police commissioner was killed in Abuja. Security forces occasionally killed persons while trying to extort money from them."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Delta State: In June police officers beat Peter Osimiri when he refused to pay a bribe; he died shortly after arriving at the hospital ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19459]

"For example, on June 13, Delta State police officers beat Peter Osimiri and left him for dead when he refused to pay a $156 (20,000 naira) bribe demanded of him for carrying eight rolls of electrical cable they believed to be stolen. A passing motorist discovered Osimiri and attempted to take him for medical help, but police saw him en route and beat him again. He died shortly after arriving at the hospital. The officers involved reportedly were detained, but no information was available."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Police and military used excessive force in the suppression of civil unrest ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19463]

"Police and military personnel used excessive force and sometimes deadly force in the suppression of civil unrest, property vandalism, and interethnic violence (see sections 2.b., 2.c., and 5). There were reports of summary executions, assaults, and other abuses carried out by military personnel and paramilitary mobile police across the Niger Delta."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Kano: Police beat youth to clear the way for the governor at a festival ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19498]

"On October 23, at the Durbar festival outside the Emir's Palace in Kano, police beat unruly youth with sticks and whips to clear the way for the motorcade of the governor of Kano State. Although the crowd was unruly, participants were peaceful and posed no serious threat to public order."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Imo State: Police carried out reprisal attacks after youths rioted to protest police roadblocks; at least 4 protestors were killed ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19499]

"In April police in the Njaba local government area of Imo State carried out reprisal attacks after youths rioted outside the local police station to protest police roadblocks in the area. Police arrested 50 persons, and at least four protestors died. Villagers reported that police were responsible for burning property in the area, resulting in damage estimated at over $11.7 million (1.5 billion naira). The government did not announce formal prosecution proceedings against the arrested youths, who were believed to remain in detention at year's end."

Document(s): Open document

21.09.2006 - Source: Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (formerly Global IDP Project)

Kano: In May 2004 police reportedly committed dozens of unlawful and arbitrary killings ("Heightened risk of violence and displacement ahead of 2007 elections") [ID 18029]

"During the violence between Muslims and Christians in the northern city of Kano, also in May 2004, police reportedly committed dozens of unlawful killings in the name of restoring law and order. According to Human Rights Watch, this followed a pattern of unlawful, arbitrary and extrajudicial killings by the police following outbreaks of communal violence in Plateau, Kaduna and other states over the previous three years (HRW, 17 May 2004). The proliferation of small arms throughout Nigeria has also contributed to the high casualty figures during attacks (AI, 11 May 2004)."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Zamfara state: In October 2004 police opened fire at a crowd trying to demand traditional Ramadan alms from the State governor; 2 were killed, 3 injured ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17805]

"There were instances of violence by security forces. In October 2004, during Ramadan, police killed two persons and injured three or four others in Gusau, the capital of mostly Muslim Zamfara State in the northwest. A crowd had approached the state government's building to demand traditional Ramadan alms from the Zamfara State governor. Police at the gates stopped the crowd from advancing, a scuffle ensued, and police opened fire. No further investigation was expected in the incident."

Document(s): Open document

09.2006 - Source: Freedom House

Government admitted that there were widespread extrajudicial killings of suspects and innocent citizens by the police ("Freedom in the World 2006") [ID 18138]

"Serious human rights violations remained a problem in Nigeria during the year. In a rare public admission of guilt, the government in August admitted that there had been widespread extrajudicial killings of suspects and innocent citizens by the country's police. The comments came after New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that torture and killing of suspects by police was rampant in Nigeria and largely went unpunished. Obasanjo promised tough action to clean up the police force."

Document(s): Open document

09.2006 - Source: Freedom House

Information on abuses by security forces and impunity ("Freedom in the World 2006") [ID 18266]

"Abuses by security forces and a climate of impunity remain problems. In July, HRW said police still routinely torture detainees. According to the report, rape and mutilation are commonly used to extract confessions, and suspects are suspended from the ceiling by their hands, beaten with metal objects, sprayed with tear gas in their eyes, or shot in the feet; sometimes the injuries result in death. A UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions said in July that Nigerian police use armed robbery as a blanket charge to jail people when they refuse to pay bribes and to justify the unlawful killing of civilians. The local Centre for Law Enforcement Education in Nigeria estimates that police at checkpoints shoot about 1 in 20 motorists who refuse or fail to pay bribes. A landmark police trial, in which six police officers were charged with the murder of six traders, opened in Abuja in July."

Document(s): Open document

09.2006 - Source: Freedom House

3 former military rulers personally liable for extrajudicial killings ("Freedom in the World 2006") [ID 18267]

"A human rights commission appointed by Obasanjo has concluded that three of Nigeria's former military rulers were personally liable for extrajudicial killings perpetrated while they were in power. The commission recommended that all three men- General Ibrahim Babangida, General Muhammadu Buhari, and General Abdulsalami Abubakar-be banned from holding high office in the future."

Document(s): Open document

07.2006 - Source: Freedom House

Police and security services often use torture and excessive violence ("Countries at the Crossroads 2006") [ID 18304]

"Use of torture by Nigerian police and security services remains rampant, despite condemnation of these practices from the upper echelons of the government and spirited efforts by civil society groups to alter entrenched patterns.13 Police and military brutality also remain standard practice, particularly in the militarized Niger Delta region, where peaceful, women-led protests against multinational oil corporations' lack of investment in their communities were met with gunfire on several occasions in 2004 and 2005.14 Security forces frequently fire indiscriminately when in hot pursuit of suspects. The government occasionally prosecutes unjust police behavior, such as the four police officers who fired at Abuja market traders over nonpayment of bribes in 2005; however, the prominence given to this case by the media underscores the infrequency of such prosecutions."

Document(s): Open document

07.2006 - Source: Freedom House

Lagos: In October 2005 army and police officers triggered 2 days of violence through an interpersonal dispute ("Countries at the Crossroads 2006") [ID 18423]

"Presidential control of the military and internal security forces has remained fairly constant over the past several years, but legislative oversight and civilian defense capacity have grown slowly. In the field, the security services remain unpredictable, using deadly force unnecessarily on occasion and harassing the public by demanding bribes at security checkpoints. In a particularly egregious incident of indiscipline, army and police officers have even leveled their guns at each other over an interpersonal dispute, turning a Lagos neighborhood into a war zone for two days in October 2005."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Violence and lethal force continued during the year ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46036],  [ID 15672]

"Violence and lethal force at police and military roadblocks and checkpoints continued during the year, despite the January announcement by the acting inspector-general of police that police roadblocks would be eliminated. Police generally ignored the order, and roadblocks continued nationwide. Security forces frequently killed persons while trying to extort money from them."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

6 traders shot dead by police; police officers were charged with murder ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46036],  [ID 15675]

"On June 7, police in Apo stopped six traders at a vehicle checkpoint. An argument ensued, and the police shot and killed two of the six, then detained the other four, who were subsequently killed in custody.The police attempted to bury the six bodies secretly, but Apo residents found and unearthed the bodies, then marched with the corpses to the police station. Police fled the resulting riot. The police claimed the six had been "armed robbers." Six police officers, including a deputy commissioner of police, were charged with murder. The trial continued at year's end."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Motorcycle driver shot dead by a naval officer ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46036],  [ID 15677]

"On July 25, in Lagos, a naval officer shot and killed a motorcycle taxi driver after what observers termed a "minor accident." Other motorcycle taxi drivers in the area reacted violently to the shooting, burning the naval officer's car and threatening his life. The disturbance was finally quelled by police intervention. The officer was still in naval custody and the investigation continued at year's end."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Police and military personell used excessive force and sometimes deadly force ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46036],  [ID 15678]

"Police and military personnel used excessive force and sometimes deadly force in the suppression of civil unrest, property vandalism, and interethnic violence (see section 5). There were reports of summary executions, assaults, and other abuses carried out by military personnel and paramilitary mobile police across the Niger Delta."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

18-year-old girl wounded by policeman who attempted to extort a bribe from a truck driver ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46036],  [ID 15829]

"Security forces tortured persons and used excessive force during the year. For example on March 28 in Ilorin, Kwara State, a policeman attempting to extort a bribe from a truck driver opened fire, wounding an 18-year-old girl who was selling bread nearby."

Document(s): Open document

08.2004 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

Torture, ill-treatment and degrading treatment in police custody ("Nigeria - Länderbericht") [#28135],  [ID 15260]

"Folter und andere grausame, unmenschliche oder erniedrigende Behandlung sind durch die nigerianische Verfassung verboten. Das US State Department berichtet jedoch, dass Demonstranten, mutmaßliche
Kriminelle, Häftlinge und verurteilte Gefängnisinsassen von der Polizei und anderen Sicherheitskräften regelmäßig geschlagen würden. In einigen Fällen seien Personen infolge von Folter in Haft gestorben, es sei
im Berichtszeitraum 2003 jedoch von weniger Fällen von Folter durch Sicherheitskräfte als in den Jahren zuvor berichtet worden (USDOS 2004, Enleitung, 1.c). Auch Amnesty International berichtet, dass Folter
oder unmenschliche Behandlung in einigen Fällen zum Tod der Verdächtigen geführt hätten. Die Polizei argumentiere hier zumeist, dass die beschuldigte Person während eines Fluchtversuchs ihr Leben verloren
habe. Weiters verweist Amnesty International auf Berichte nigerianischer NGOs, internationaler Organisationen und der Presse, denen zufolge Hunderte nigerianische Bürger im Polizeigewahrsam außergerichtlich getötet worden sein sollen (AI Dezember 2002, S. 8-9).

Grausame und unmenschliche Behandlung von Verdächtigen durch Polizeibeamte zielt häufig darauf ab, Geständnisse zu erpressen. Selbst wenn keine weiteren Beweise zur Untermauerung der Beschuldigung
vorgebracht werden, wird der Verdächtige aufgrund seiner Aussage in Haft gesetzt. Bei einer von der nigerianischen NGO CLEEN (Centre for Law Enforcement Education) durchgeführten Befragung von
Gefängnisinsassen behaupteten 77% der Befragten, in Polizeigewahrsam geschlagen, mit Waffen bedroht und gefoltert worden zu sein (AI Dezember 2002, S. 7).

Laut US Department of State gäbe es nur wenige Fälle, in denen Mitglieder der Polizei bei Misshandlungen zur Verantwortung gezogen würde (USDOS 2004, 1.a). Dennoch kommt es auch zu Verurteilungen. Beispielsweise wurden zwei Polizisten zu zehn Jahren Haft verurteilt, nachdem sie für schuldig befunden worden waren, den Tod von Shehu Isa durch Folter herbeigeführt zu haben (AllAfrica.com/P.M. News 16. März 2004)."

Document(s): Open document

08.2004 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

Extrajudicial executions ("Nigeria - Länderbericht") [#28135],  [ID 15261]

"Außergerichtliche Tötungen durch die Polizei werden vor allem den diversen Sondereinheiten angelastet. Das US Department of State macht die Polizei sowohl für außergerichtliche Tötungen als auch für exzessive
Gewaltanwendung bei der Festnahme von Kriminellen und der Auflösung von Protesten verantwortlich (USDOS 2004, 1.a.). Die Polizei neigte darüber hinaus im Berichtszeitraum 2003 dazu, in Zeiten allgemeiner Gewalt ihrerseits Tötungen durchzuführen, wie Human Rights Watch feststellt. So seien beispielsweise bei Unruhen zwischen Muslimen und Christen in Kaduna im November 2002, bei denen 250 Menschen ums Leben kamen, Dutzende Menschen von der Polizei und dem Militär erschossen worden. (HRW Jänner 2004)

Um der grassierenden Gewalt ein Ende zu bereiten, greift der Inspector General der Polizei, Balogun, zu außerordentlichen und äußerst umstrittenen Maßnahmen. Im März 2002 setzt er ein Sonderkommando unter dem Namen „ Fire-for-fire“ ein. Die Polizeibeamten dieses Kommandos sind nicht mehr dazu verpflichtet, den Befehl zum Schießen ihres Vorgesetzten abzuwarten, sofern sie sich in einer schwierigen Lage befinden. Diesem Sonderkommando werden zahlreiche Vergehen angelastet, darunter unzählige außergerichtliche Tötungen (AI Dezember 2002). In den ersten Monaten (März bis November) verzeichnete die Polizei nach Einrichtung des Kommandos 2.800 Verhaftungen und 1.200 durch Polizisten getötete ‚Kriminelle’ (USDOS 2004, 1.a) Das US State Department hält zum besagten Sonderkommando weiters fest, dass es zahlreiche Beschwerden gäbe, wonach die Operation Fire for Fire einer weitgehend unausgebildeten Polizeieinheit große Freiheiten beim Einsatz tödlicher Gewalt einräume. In den meisten Fällen würden Polizeibeamte für exzessive oder tödliche Gewaltanwendung oder den Tod von Personen in Polizeigewahrsam nicht zur Verantwortung gezogen. (USDOS 2004, 1.a, 1.d) Auch die Wirksamkeit in der Verbrechensbekämpfung von Fire for Fire wird heute sehr deutlich angezweifelt (AllAfrica.com/Daily Champion 15. März 2004; USDOS 2004, 1.d).

Auch bei den Unruhen in Kano im Mai 2004 nach den Gewalttätigkeiten in der Stadt Yelwa, Plateau State, gab die Polizei von Kano den Befehl, auf verdächtige Personen zu schießen ( shoot on sight) AllAfrica.com/Vanguard 13. Mai 2004). Ein weiterer shoot on sight Befehl wurde von Gouverneur Bonnie Horuna, Adamawa State, anlässlich der Gewalttätigkeiten in Numan im Frühjahr 2004 ausgegeben. Von einer nigerianischen Tageszeitung wird er mit folgenden Worten zitiert: " anybody that is seen attacking, torching a house or any property of others should be shot on sight immediately." (zit. in: AllAfrica.com/This Day 10. Juni 2004)."

Document(s): Open document

08.2004 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

Holden charge ("Nigeria - Länderbericht") [#28135],  [ID 15262]

"Liegen bei Fällen von vermutetem Schwerverbrechen (Raub oder Mord) nicht genügend Beweise vor und konnte die Polizei auch kein Geständnis erzwingen, so wird häufig auf folgende Praxis zurückgegriffen, um den Beschuldigten trotzdem nicht auf freien Fuß setzen zu müssen: der Verdächtige wird anstatt dem zuständigen Staatsanwalt einem Verwaltungsrichter vorgeführt. Verwaltungsrichter sind jedoch in Fällen,
die theoretisch die Todesstrafe nach sich ziehen können, unzuständig. Sie können diese Fälle auch nicht aufgrund mangelnder Beweise fallenlassen oder jemanden gegen Kaution freilassen. Ihnen steht lediglich das Recht zu, den Verdächtigen bis zur Verhandlung in Haft zu lassen7. Dieser Zeitraum kann sich über Jahre hinziehen. Um dem zu entgehen, legen Verdächtige in einigen Fällen Geständnisse ab (AI Dezember 2002, S. 7-8; AllAfrica.com/This Day 24. Juni 2004).

Die Praxis ist nach wie vor gängig (AllAfrica.com/Daily Trust 20. Januar 2004; AllAfrica.com/Daily Champion 03. April 2004; AllAfrica.com/This Day 06. Juli 2004). Selbst der oberste Polizeichef, Inspector General Balogun gibt offen zu, dass darauf zurückgegriffen werde, da holden charge dem Justizministerium erlaube, die Anklage mit allen Beweisen vorzubereiten (AllAfrica.com/Daily Trust 20. Januar 2004). Die nigerianische Civil Liberties Organization prangert holden charge an, vor allem, weil bereits Urteile über
deren mangelnde Verfassungskonformität vorlägen (AllAfrica.com/Vanguard 23. Juni 2004)."

Document(s): Open document

08.2004 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

Mobile Police ("Nigeria - Länderbericht") [#28135],  [ID 15263]

"Die Mobile Police sind hochgerüstete und schnell einsatzbereite Polizeieinheiten. In der jüngsten Vergangenheit wurden sie zur Auflösung von Vigilantengruppen (Bakassi Boys) und zur gewaltsamen
Auflösungen von Versammlungen eingesetzt (AI 2003, Nigeria). Ihr Einsatzbereich lag dabei unter anderem im Niger-Delta. Auch gegen oppositionelle Gruppen wie MASSOB und MOSOB ging die Mobile Police vor. Die Mobile Police wird beschuldigt für summarische Tötungen verantwortlich zu sein. Auch für politisch motivierte Festnahmen wird auf diese Einheiten zurückgegriffen; so wurde der Gouverneur des
Gliedstaates Anambra, Chris Ngige, von Polizisten der Mobile Police zum Rücktritt gezwungen und für 5 Stunden festgehalten (USDOS 2004, passim).

Mitte August 2003 ging die Mobile Police gemeinsam mit Mitgliedern der Armee, der Marine und der Luftwaffe in der Operation „ Restore Hope“ vor, mit welcher gegen die Gewalt im Niger-Delta eingeschritten werden sollte. Am Höhepunkt der Operation waren etwa 900 Mann der Mobile Police in der
Region stationiert. Zu ihren vordringlichsten Aufgaben zählt der Schutz und die Bewachung von Ölförder-Installationen (HRW 17. Dezember 2003 S. 21-22). Die Operation war auch noch im Frühjahr 2004 im Niger-Delta aktiv. Bei einem Zusammenstoß mit Ijaw-Jugendlichen wurden zwischen 4 und 20 Personen getötet (AllAfrica.com/Daily Champion 10. März 2004). Im Rahmen der Operation Restore Hope kommt es regelmäßig zum unverhältnismäßigen Einsatz tödlicher Gewalt (IRIN 16. Januar 2004; IRIN 15. März 2004). So wurden im Juli 2004 bei der Verfolgung einer kriminellen Bande 17 Bandenmitglieder getötet (AllAfrica.com/The News 05. Juli 2004).

Human Rights Watch berichtet, dass Soldaten und Mitglieder der Mobile Police routinemäßig Geld von Autofahrern und den Fahrern von Motorradtaxis erpressen würden. Oft würden sie jene Personen schlagen, die nicht zahlen könnten oder wollten, oder sie zu Froschsprüngen und anderen erniedrigenden Handlungen zwingen. Diese Praktiken würden öffentlich ausgeführt und auch nicht vor Journalisten oder
Menschenrechtsexperten verborgen. Human Rights Watch ergänzt, dass Personen, die kein Geld zahlen würden, manchmal auch erschossen würden. (HRW 17. Dezember 2003, S. 23)"

Document(s): Open document

25.02.2004 - Source: US Department of State

Security forces committed extrajudicial killings or used excessive force to apprehend criminals and to disperse protestors ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2003") [#19700],  [ID 14894]

"There were no political killings by security forces; however, national police, army, and security forces committed extrajudicial killings or used excessive force to apprehend criminals and to disperse protestors during the year, when crowds were perceived by police as possibly becoming violent. Multinational oil companies and domestic oil producing companies subcontracted police and soldiers from area units particularly to protect the oil facilities in the volatile Niger Delta region. Freelance security forces and former security forces accounted for a portion of the violent crime committed during the year. Police were instructed to use lethal force against suspected criminals and suspected vandals near oil pipelines in the Niger Delta Region."

Document(s): Open document

25.02.2004 - Source: US Department of State

Security forces committed extrajudicial killings or used excessive force to apprehend criminals and to disperse protestors ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2003") [#19700],  [ID 15264]

"There were no political killings by security forces; however, national police, army, and security forces committed extrajudicial killings or used excessive force to apprehend criminals and to disperse protestors during the year, when crowds were perceived by police as possibly becoming violent. Multinational oil companies and domestic oil producing companies subcontracted police and soldiers from area units particularly to protect the oil facilities in the volatile Niger Delta region. Freelance security forces and former security forces accounted for a portion of the violent crime committed during the year. Police were instructed to use lethal force against suspected criminals and suspected vandals near oil pipelines in the Niger Delta Region."

Document(s): Open document

10.2003 - Source: UK Home Office

National police, army and security forces commited extra-judicial killings ("Country Report - October 2003") [#17332],  [ID 15265]

"5.31 National police, army, and security forces have committed extra-judicial killings and used excessive force to quell several incidents of ethnic and religious violence during 2002. The Government did not use lethal force to repress non-violent, purely political activities, but lethal force has been used when protests or demonstrations were perceived as becoming violent or disruptive, or in the apprehension and detention of suspected criminals. State anti-crime task forces remained the most frequent human rights offenders. However, in most cases in which abuses were committed, security forces were not held accountable for excesses, deadly use of force or the deaths of persons in custody. Security forces operated with impunity in the apprehension, illegal detention, and sometimes execution of criminal suspects. Since taking office, President Obasanjo has preferred to let the police deal with civil disturbances, sending in military reinforcements only when the police were unable to restore order. However, the Government deployed the army numerous times during 2002 to restore order after civil unrest, and the army committed numerous abuses while performing this role, in part due to a lack of training.

5.32 The most significant example of army indiscipline, occurred in October 2001, when soldiers killed approximately 200 unarmed civilians, primarily ethnic Tiv, and caused considerable destruction in the town of Zaki Biam and a number of other villages in Benue State. This was in retaliation for the killing of 19 soldiers. The army had been originally deployed to restore order between Tiv and Jukun communities in the state, who have been engaged in long running ethnic disputes. The Federal High Court in Makurdi, capital of Benue State, called for the removal of these forces in March 2002. [32] In January 2003, President Obasanjo apologised for the actions of the military regarding this incident, but no further action has been taken as yet.

5.42 Human Rights Watch report that the police carried out many extra-judicial executions in 2002, often shooting suspected criminals on sight, and, in some cases, killing or injuring other individuals who were not suspected of any crime. The federal government and the inspector general of police promised to address these problems and to stamp out the widespread corruption in the police force. However, some of the initiatives they launched, such as "Operation Fire for Fire," which was intended to tackle the high rate of violent crime, seemed to have the opposite effect and resulted in further shootings of suspects by the police, many of them fatal. The police force itself stated that at least 225 criminal suspects had been shot dead between March and June 2002."

Document(s): Open document

22.07.2003 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Report documenting eyewitness accounts of soldiers and police killing people between November 21 and 23, during an operation intended to restore law and order ("The “Miss world riots”: Continued Impunity for Killings in Kaduna") [#14433],  [ID 15266]

Document(s): Open document

10.07.2003 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Several people killed by the police and others severely beaten/ the incidents form part of a broader pattern of increased harassment and intimidation of critics of the Nigerian government ("Nigeria: Bush Should Condemn Police Brutality") [#14267],  [ID 15267]

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2003 - Source: Amnesty International

Violations of human rights while combating crime ("Annual Report 2003") [#13067],  [ID 15268]

"The proliferation of anti-crime operations by the federal police resulted in extrajudicial executions, deaths in custody, torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment in police detention centres throughout the country. In most cases, the policemen responsible were not brought to justice."

Document(s): Open document
Open document

21.04.2003 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Bayelsa State: 6 people reportedly killed by policemen after they resisted orders to leave a polling station on presidential elections ("Obasanjo takes commanding lead in presidential ballot") [#12134],  [ID 15269]

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: US Department of State

National police, army, and security forces committed extrajudicial killings and used excessive force to quell several incidents of ethno-religious violence during the year ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2002") [#11802],  [ID 15270]

"The national police, military, and security forces committed extrajudicial killings and used excessive force to apprehend criminal suspects and to quell several incidents of ethno-religious violence.(…) National police, army, and security forces committed extrajudicial killings or used excessive force to apprehend criminals and to quell several incidents of ethno-religious violence during the year. The Government did not use lethal force to repress nonviolent, purely political activities; however, lethal force sometimes was used when protests or demonstrations were perceived as becoming violent. Multinational oil companies and domestic oil producing companies subcontracted police and soldiers from area units particularly to protect the oil facilities in the volatile Niger Delta region. Freelance security forces and former security forces accounted for a significant portion of the violent crime during the year. Police were instructed to use lethal force against suspected criminals, suspected vandals near oil pipelines in the Niger Delta Region, and the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) vigilante group in Lagos State."

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: US Department of State

Police and security forces continued the practice of placing relatives and friends of wanted suspects in detention without criminal charge to induce suspects to surrender to arrest ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2002") [#11802],  [ID 15276]

"Police continued the practice of placing relatives and friends of wanted suspects in detention without criminal charge to induce suspects to surrender. (...)Police and security forces continued the practice of placing relatives and friends of wanted suspects in detention without criminal charge to induce suspects to surrender to arrest. Human rights groups called for the police to end the practice."

Document(s): Open document

19.12.2002 - Source: Amnesty International

Report on human rights violations by federal police and the armed forces ("Nigeria: Security forces in Nigeria: Serving to protect and respect human rights?") [#10009],  [ID 14902]

Document(s): Open document

19.12.2002 - Source: Amnesty International

Report on human rights violations by federal police and the armed forces ("Nigeria: Security forces in Nigeria: Serving to protect and respect human rights?") [#10009],  [ID 15271]

Document(s): Open document

13.11.2002 - Source: BBC News

Plateau state: 7 people killed in clash with security forces; shoot-on-sight policy introduced to stem wave of ethnic and religious violence ("Shoot-to-kill policy in Nigerian state") [#9519],  [ID 15272]

Document(s): Open document

26.08.2002 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Portrayal of conflicts as ethno-religious obscure state's role in targeted violence ("Hope Betrayed ? A Report on Impunity and State Sponsored Violence in Nigeria") [#8522],  [ID 15273]

"However, the single most important issue, threatening to tear apart the peace and corporate existence of Nigeria today and its nascent experiment in elected government, is the spate of extrajudicial killings, rape, torture, maiming and destruction of property and livelihood that have followed the over 50 outbreaks of targeted violence that have taken place since the inauguration of the present government in May 1999. The local and international media coverage of these incidents portrays them as ethno-religious in nature. However, our investigations show that this euphemism has helped in obscuring the visible roles of the state and its security agencies in the perpetuation of these egregious violations, thereby shielding the government from full responsibility for their occurrence and recurrence."

Document(s): Open document
omct-cleenNigeriareport0802.pdf

09.08.2002 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Warri: 1 woman shot by policeman when groups of women protesters besieged the premises of oil transnationals Royal/Dutch Shell and ChevronTexaco ("Nigeria: Woman shot dead during protest at transnationals' offices") [#8190],  [ID 15274]

Document(s): Open document

29.07.2002 - Source: BBC News

Demonstration dispersed by excessive force, several injured, 50 arrested ("Obasanjo visit sparks Kano riot") [#8147],  [ID 15275]

"Trouble has flared in the northern city of Kano in Nigeria after a visit by President Olusegun Obasanjo attracted violent anti-government protests.
Several people are thought to have been injured after being shot at by the police or presidential armed guard, and at least 50 have been arrested. [...]
When police and vigilante groups insisted the protesters leave, they met resistance from the crowd. It turned into a showdown that lasted as long as two hours, until the army arrived in tanks, pointing rifles towards the crowd.
President Obasanjo left the palace shortly after the violence began. Soldiers sprayed teargas and fired at young men throwing stones near the rear of the mile-long presidential motorcade.
Several witnesses say they saw limp "bodies" being hauled into military vehicles.
In the meantime, tens of people were injured as the crowds outside the emir's palace ripped up paving stones to hurl."

Document(s): Open document

2000 - Source: CLEEN Foundation (formerly Centre for Law Enforcement Education)

CLEEN: Police violence ("Police-Community Violence in Nigeria") [#8577],  [ID 15277]

"Police violence in the form of summary executions occurs frequently among Special Task Forces assigned to the patrol of highways and cities to curb armed robbery. Police torture in the form of physical assault frequently occurs at all levels of police work- crowd control, arrest, investigation, and detention. The use of violence by the police against citizens has been recognised as a widespread and persistent problem in the country by the government, public and even the police authority. As a result, senior government and police officials at various times warned against the practice. However, senior government
officials usually fail to acknowledge that police violence thrives because of the undemocratic political structures and unjust economic relations in the country."

Document(s): Open document