The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has faulted the continued
siege on the Abuja home of Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) by operatives
of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
A statement issued on Friday
by NHRC’s spokesman, Lambart Oparah, quoted the commission’s Executive
Secretary, Tony Ojukwu as arguing that the method adopted by the police
violated the rights of other occupants of the house.
The NHRC urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to direct the immediate withdrawal of his men from the Senator’s house.
The
NHRC said it will continue to condemn acts of impunity by law
enforcement agents until they learn to carry out their law enforcement
duties within minimum accepted international standards of law
enforcement.
The commission added that it will not tolerate any
form of impunity, particularly from the security agencies as we approach
the elections.
Part of the statement reads: “The NHRC condemns
in strong terms the method adopted by the Nigerian Police in laying
siege in the house of Senator Dino Melaye and calls on the Inspector
General of Police to direct the immediate withdrawal of his men from the
Senator’s house.
“Executive Secretary NHRC Tony Ojukwu faults
the methodology adopted by the Police in effecting the arrest of Senator
Dino Melaye.
“The right to freedom of movement of occupants of the house have been violated consequentially.
“Is
Senator Melaye the only occupant of the house? How about the rest of
the family and other people in that house and neighborhood?
“It
is not a matter of whether the doors are locked from inside or outside
but the rest of the people are now terrified and unsure of their
security due to the siege.
“Under normal circumstances the Police
ought to invite anybody for questioning and not to lay siege in the
house thereby threatening infringement of the right of others.”
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