May 10, (THEWILL) — First, all allegations of extrajudicial killings must be investigated by independent bodies – not by the police alone. The Police Service Commission and the National Human Rights Commission must assert their mandates without fear or favour. Second, there must be full public disclosure in cases involving loss of life. The identities of officers under investigation, the status of proceedings, and the outcomes must not be shrouded in secrecy.
Third, command responsibility must be enforced. Senior officers cannot continue to evade accountability for abuses committed under their watch. Fourth, victims and their families must be guaranteed access to justice – including the right to know the fate of their loved ones, to obtain autopsies, and to pursue redress without intimidation.
Finally, there must be consequences. Without prosecution and sanctions, reforms remain rhetorical and impunity persists. The stakes could not be higher. Every extrajudicial killing sends a message – not just to victims, but to society at large – that the law can be suspended at will. Over time, this erodes the legitimacy of the state itself.
Nigeria stands at a crossroads. It can continue down a path where abuses are denied, evidence is concealed and justice is deferred. Or it can choose a different course – one where the rule of law is upheld, institutions are strengthened, and those who abuse power are held to account.
The choice should be clear. Justice must not be optional. Accountability must not be selective. And the lives of Nigerians must never be expendable.
***Written by Okechukwu Nwanguma.
