Expressing concern, Amnesty International has condemned the invasion of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights’ office in Ikeja, Lagos, by armed security personnel. The Country Director of AI, Isa Sanusi, made this known in a statement released on Friday.
Reports indicate that a group of policemen, soldiers, and other security operatives stormed the Lagos venue where a public symposium and candlelight event were set to take place in honor of those who lost their lives during the nationwide #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protest.
The Right House venue at 43 Adeniyi Jones, Oba Akran, Ikeja, which serves as the headquarters of the CDHR, was targeted in the invasion.
Sanusi expressed deep concern, stating, “Amnesty International is deeply troubled by the illegal incursion into the CDHR office in Ikeja, Lagos. This, occurring shortly after the raid on the Nigeria Labour Congress headquarters, reflects a disturbing trend of escalating assaults on human rights.”
He added, “Human rights defenders face an increasing risk of violations by security forces. The siege, commencing at 5:00 am, has resulted in the closure of businesses in the vicinity and hindered the CDHR’s efforts to uphold freedom.”
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, he emphasized that such attacks on human rights defenders and their establishments convey a tacit approval of these transgressions by the authorities. Amnesty International called upon Nigerian officials to investigate the incident and instruct security personnel to vacate the premises immediately.
The organization also decried the crackdown on hunger protesters nationwide since August 1, 2024, as well as the subsequent assault on civil society groups, citing this as evidence of the Bola Tinubu administration’s disregard for human rights and intent to stifle dissent.
As of 4:30 pm on Friday, the heavily armed police, soldiers, and security personnel continued to besiege the area surrounding the CDHR office, as stated in the release.
Amnesty International urged the Nigerian authorities to cease the assaults on human rights, uphold the rights to freedom of expression and association, and shield human rights defenders and civil society organizations from fear and intimidation.