Reform Police, security agents to protect civil rights, Seadogs task FG
The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has called for reorientating the Nigeria Police and other security agents as part of broader reforms to guarantee citizens’ rights. In a statement by the NAS Capn, Dr. Joseph Oteri, to commemorate Human Rights Day 2024, the group lamented that the celebration brings to the centre stage some sore tales requiring global and national attention.
This year’s theme is “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now.” The Pyrates Confraternity maintained that the reorientation of the police and other security agencies must be targeted towards community-based policing that prioritises human dignity over intimidation and violence. It also charged the judiciary to reaffirm its role as the last hope of the commoner by upholding justice without fear or favour.
Going down memory lane, NAS said it was worried that 76 years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was proclaimed and adopted, the world is still confronted by flagrant abuses of human rights worldwide.
The statement read, “It is doubtful that human rights have inched up the improvement notch, unlike the progress recorded in science and technology. It seems that as the world progresses, humans seek novel ways to deny others their rights.
“As a UN Special Consultative Status organisation, the Pyrates Confraternity is deeply committed to promoting and protecting human rights, underscoring our indispensable role in shaping a just and sustainable future for all.
“However, human rights abuses remain a grave challenge in Nigeria, with persistent violations undermining the dignity and well-being of citizens. Reports of police brutality, unlawful detentions, extrajudicial killings, gender-based violence, and suppression of free speech have become alarmingly frequent.
“These abuses are not merely breaches of the law; they inflict profound psychological and emotional scars on victims, eroding trust in the very institutions tasked with safeguarding their rights. Human rights violations in Nigeria continue to paint a troubling picture of systemic failures.”
Recent incidents, such as the arrest of activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi, the harassment of his staff and associates, the unlawful detention of minors participating in the #EndBadGovernance protest, and the brazen assault of two commuting civilians by a top Nigerian Army officer and his subordinates, are still a tiny drop in the ocean of human rights violations witnessed daily in Nigeria.
The group noted, “There have been numerous reports of extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detention by Nigerian security forces. The lack of accountability for these abuses remains a significant concern. The military and police forces have often been accused of using excessive force against civilians.”
To address some of these challenges, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), established to monitor and address these violations, must remain a beacon of hope for the oppressed.
On this Human Rights Day, the National Association of Seadogs calls on the Federal Government to honour its constitutional obligations and international commitments to human rights.
“As we commemorate Human Rights Day 2024, let this be a moment of reflection, renewal, and resolute action. Together, we can ensure that human rights are not merely aspirational but are fully realized in our lives, communities, and governance structures,” the group added.
Dr Joseph Oteri
NAS Capn,
December 9, 2024
