BENIN CITY: With the presidential and National Assembly elections in Nigeria done, the nation’s army and police have come under scrutiny and condemnation by United States-based human rights organization, Edo United for Homeland Empowerment, which during the week called for their reform.
The organization said in an electronic mail to The Nigerian OBSERVER in Benin City that for the nation to move forward, the tainted roles of the security forces before and during the elections must be investigated, with appropriate actions taken to rectify the ugly situation.
In a congratulatory message to the President-elect, retired Major-General Mohammadu Buhari and signed by its President, Mr. Frank Ekhator and Director of Publicity, Mr. Emmanuel Okunmwendia, the organization called for a commission of inquiry into the acts of brigandage as displayed by the military before and during the elections.
The case of alleged army siege on some parts of the country, including Edo State on Elections Day with the intimidation and physical abuse of harmless civilians purposely to subvert the electoral wishes of the people, the group said was a gross violation of civil liberties and human rights that must not be left uninvestigated.
“In order to restore sanity to the forces, there is the need for major reorganization that would put them back on the pedestal of honor and dignity.”
The group described as painful and appalling the army’s surrender to vicious manipulation by politicians against the interest of the Nigerian people, saying that Nigeria as a sovereign nation stood in great danger if nothing was done to address this unfortunate situation.
It therefore called on the President-elect to as a matter of urgent necessity embark on major re-organization, training and reorientation of the Army and other security agencies on his assumption of office in May 2015.
“The leadership of the various branches must be held responsible for the horror perpetrated against Nigerians who for several years have grappled with an administration marred by arrogance, impunity, brazen corruption, godfathers, dysfunctional government agencies and other forms of social malaise.”
The election of General Buhari, the group said has sent a loud and clear message of a people yearning for change and redemption, adding that it was not only a referendum on bad governance, but a call for a dignified life, with access to good and affordable healthcare, food, education, job and security of lives and property.
The organization called on General Buhari to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the defunct National Conference, granting voting rights to Nigerians in the Diaspora, and the removal of immunity clause that for a long time shielded corrupt public officers form prosecution.
It also drew the attention of the President-elect to the corrupt practices of custom officers at all Nigeria’s ports of entry, especially the Murtala Mohammed airport, known for its notoriety, with the nefarious activities of these men and women in uniform who target and rob Nigerian passengers from abroad of their legitimate belongings.
“Rather than perform their assigned functions, several Nigerian custom officers in connivance with other redundant layers of so-called security agents at the airport prefer to dip into visitors’ hard earned money by branding every item they are bringing home for loved ones “Contraband.”
“By inventive symmetry, same offence of “Contraband” is concocted and invoked to extort money from them before being allowed to leave the country with local food, traditional attires and other belongings that people hold dearly.
“We find these corrupt practices painful, abhorrent, and disgraceful and something that must be checked by your in-coming administration, the group requested.”
