Lukman Olabiyi
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned the Department of State Services (DSS) for attacking peaceful protesters who were demanding the release of activist Omoyele Sowore and Olawale Bakare as ordered by the court.
In a statement today by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said:
“We have seen a video footage apparently showing the use of lethal and excessive force by Nigerian security agents against peaceful protesters demanding the release of Sowore and Bakare as ordered by the court. We condemn the ruthless violence and shocking abuses against protesters.”
The statement continues: “@UNHumanRights @UN_SPExperts @davidakaye should urgently respond to the rule of law and human rights crisis in Nigeria and call on the authorities to end this brutality. It is high time to ramp up monitoring on the situation in Nigeria and to send investigators to the country at once.
“The use of lethal and excessive force violates the very core of Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights obligations. This should end immediately, and those responsible should be held to account.
“Nigerian authorities should immediately obey ALL court orders and specifically the court order for the release of Sowore and Bakare from arbitrary detention.”