Nigerian security agents enforcing the Coronavirus lockdown in Nigeria have killed more citizens in the last two weeks than the deadly virus, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said.

While the disease has so far killed 11 persons in Nigeria, according to data from Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), security operatives have caused the death of 18 people, NHRC said in a report.

In the report signed by its Executive Secretary, Mr Tony Ojukwu, and made public on Wednesday, the commission assessed the incidents of violation of human rights over the last two weeks.

“There were eight documented incidents of extra-judicial killing leading to 18 deaths,” it said.

“Out of this number, 12 deaths were recorded in Kaduna State. Abia State also recorded two deaths arising from two incidents; while Delta, Niger, Ebonyi and Katsina states recorded one death each.

“Whereas COVID-19 has led to the death of 11 patients to date, law enforcement agents have extra-judicially executed 18 persons to enforce the regulations.”

The report described action of the security agents as a total disregard for rules of engagement in dealing with the civil population.

Of the 18 deaths, Nigeria Correctional Service was responsible for eight deaths while the police were responsible for seven deaths.

Nigeria Army was responsible for two deaths, while Ebonyi State Task Force on COVID-19, Afikpo South LGA, was responsible for one death.

The police, according to the report, were responsible for 90 per cent of the total cases of violation as Lagos had the highest recorded cases with 28 incidents out of 105 complaints of human rights violation received and documented by the commission nationwide.

PT