Nigeria sliding into dangerous crisis over rising extrajudicial killings – CHRICED
NIGERIA FACING CRISIS OVER EXTRajudICIAL KILLINGS, RIGHTS GROUP WARNS
The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has issued a warning that Nigeria is descending into a severe crisis, citing a rise in alleged extrajudicial killings by security personnel.
In a statement released Thursday and signed by Executive Director Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, CHRICED expressed deep concern over what it described as a breakdown of discipline, accountability, and respect for human life within security institutions.
Recent incidents have prompted additional alarm, including the fatal shooting of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member in Abuja and a civilian in Delta State. On April 26, 2026, a corps member was reportedly shot by military personnel inside his father’s compound in Dei-Dei, Abuja. While authorities have characterized the incident as a case of crossfire, eyewitnesses have contested this narrative, claiming that the officer later described the shooting as a “mistake.”
“This mistake ended a promising life and is a tragedy no family should ever endure,” CHRICED stated.
The organization also referenced a disturbing viral video from Effurun, Delta State, in which a police officer allegedly shoots a young man over a suspected parcel. “These incidents are deeply disturbing and unacceptable,” the statement added.
According to CHRICED, these killings are indicative of a broader pattern of abuse within the security forces, which has persisted despite prior promises of reform. “These incidents are not random; they form part of a persistent and deadly pattern of state violence,” the group asserted.
CHRICED further recalled that similar abuses contributed to the #EndSARS protests, which demanded an end to police brutality and essential security reforms. Reports cited by the organization indicate that at least 24 individuals were killed by police during the 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, with documented excessive force by law enforcement, as reported by Amnesty International.
“Despite reform promises, the reality on the ground shows little has changed. The killings continue, and impunity deepens,” CHRICED warned. The group also expressed concern over plans to recruit an additional 50,000 police officers, cautioning that inadequate screening and human rights training may exacerbate the situation.
“The security personnel must not act as investigator, judge, and executioner. Every suspect is entitled to due process,” they emphasized. The organization also highlighted reports of pressure being applied to families of victims to withdraw cases or resolve matters privately, declaring that “Justice cannot be negotiated. It cannot be buried. It cannot be silenced.”
CHRICED called on the Federal Government to treat all cases of alleged extrajudicial killings as urgent public interest matters. The group demanded independent and transparent investigations, the prosecution of offenders regardless of rank, and enhanced oversight of security agencies.
The organization reiterated that the sanctity of human life is non-negotiable, warning that each killing erodes public trust, undermines democracy, and pushes the nation further into fear and instability. “Nigeria cannot continue on this path. These incidents must not fade from public memory nor be overlooked,” CHRICED stated, emphasizing the importance of sustained pressure, transparent justice, and genuine institutional reform for the country to escape the cycle of violence and uphold justice, democracy, and human rights.
