The Joint Nigeria Crisis Action Committee in strong terms condemns the avoidable killings of two Nigerian citizens- Mr. Kolade Johnson, and Mr. Otobong Jumbowho by Nigeria’s security operatives, whose primary responsibility it was to protect the lives of the very citizens they extrajudicial killed. We call for an end to inordinate use of force and demand for an immediate suspension of all activities of the Special Anti Robbery Response Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian police: which has become a Special Anti Citizens Squad.
As Nigerians continue to grapple with the widespread mass killings by organized criminal groups across the country, it is unfortunate that they also have to seek protection from the security forces that should protect them, from these criminal groups. Citizens have once again ben confronted with the brutal killing of two young Nigerians – Mr. Kolade Johnson, who was shot by SARS operatives on Sunday, 31st March 2019 and Mr. Otobong Jumbowho, who died from the effect of a brutal assault meted out on him by officers of the Nigerian army.
On Sunday 31st March 2019, Mr. Jumbowho was severely beaten by soldiers in Ikot-Abasi Local Council of Akwa Ibom State, hit with a gun and pushed into a river, with threat to the life of anyone who dared to rescue him. Mr. Jumbowho was later confirmed dead on the same day at the Navy clinic. Less than 24 hours after that incident, Mr. Kolade Johnson murdered by a trigger-happy policeman, at a football viewing center in Lagos, in what the police have chosen to describe as a stray bullet.
Since December 2017 Nigerians have clamored for the complete abolition of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria police. Our clamour is predicated on the incessant abuse of citizens’ rights and acts out rightly terrorizing law abiding Nigerians. These acts have ranged from unwarranted raids, indiscriminate arrests – especially of young Nigerians, incessant harassment, malicious charges, extortion, random molestation, threat to life and outright murder, all with impunity.
An equally infuriating and unacceptable pattern is the constant attempt of the principal agencies to cover up these systemic atrocities. While the Nigeria Police, through its Lagos State Commissioner; CP Zubairu Muazu promises to punish Insp. Ogunyemi Olalekan and Sgt Godwin Orji, both of whom were identified as the officers who committed the heineous crime in Mr. Kolade Johnson’s case, the Military on the other hand is yet to pronounce its responsibility for the death of Mr. Otonbong Jumbowho in spite of overwhelming eye witness reports by members of the community.
The avoidable deaths of Messrs. Johnson and Jumbowho speak to a pattern of uniformed brutality and the lack of humaneness of their country which failed them.
We condemn in the strongest terms, these incessant acts of brutality by uniformed men and the systems that enable them. We restate that justice spans beyond mere rhetoric; Government action must go beyond joining citizens to ‘condemn’ these acts- there must be accountability and corresponding action.
We express solidarity with the grieving families of victims and request that the government officially accords dignity to every single Nigerian life that has been lost in similar circumstances. In addition, we demand an end to the dehumanization of Nigerian lives, and challenge government to become more accountable in ensuring the security and welfare of citizens.
Signed for the Joint Nigeria Crisis Action Committee.
Aderonke Ige
Joint Nigeria Crisis Action Committee: 07066494921
