Nigeria: Armed security personnel must end unlawful siege on the office of CDHR

Amnesty International has condemned the invasion of the office of Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) by security personnel.

AI in a statement to Vanguard advised armed security personnel to end unlawful siege on the office of CDHR.

Responding to the siege on by heavily armed security personnel on the office of Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) Director Amnesty International Nigeria Isa Sanusi said: “Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the unlawful invasion of the Ikeja Lagos office of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) This coming days after the headquarters of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) was ransacked, is a dangerous dimension to the attacks escalating attacks on human rights. Human rights defenders are increasingly at the risk of violations by security agencies.

Apart from forcing businesses around the area to abruptly close, the siege is also preventing CDHR from doing its vital work of promoting freedom. Such attacks on human rights defenders and their offices sends a message that authorities condone these violations. Commanders of security Lagos security agencies involved in this siege must be held to account for abusing their power.

The office of the human rights defenders has been under the siege of dozens of heavily armed policemen, soldiers and other security personnel since 5:00am. The Nigerian authorities must investigate this incident and give clear directive to the security personnel to immediately vacate the office.

The violent crackdown on protesters against hunger nationwide since 1 August 2024 trailed by these attacks on civil society organizations are a worrying indication of President Bola Tinubu administration’s utter disregard for human rights and determination to crush dissent.

As at 4:30 pm, the heavily armed contingent of policemen, soldiers and other security personnel were still laying an unlawful siege on the area around the office of Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) at Ikeja Lagos. This glaring show of impunity must end.

The dwindling civic space in #Nigeria is set to create a toxic climate of fear that may put activists, human rights defenders, civil society organizations and journalists in danger.

The Nigerian authorities must end these attacks on human rights and respect the right to freedom of expression and association. Intimidation of dissenting voices is setback for freedom and justice. Nigeria has an obligation to protect human rights and ensure that civil society organizations can do their work without fear.”