Violence: UN Calls For Immediate Action In Nigeria

By Uche Mbah

The united nations has condemned the current high spate of violence in the Country saying that deadly attacks rocking Nigeria could have a ripple effect throughout the region.

In a press conference organized by the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial Killings in Abuja,  the world body bemoaned lack of accountability in punishing perpetrators of violence.

Describing the growing violence as a pressure cooker, Agness Callamard, the person in charge, says the situation gives rise to extra concern.

“The overall situation that I encountered in Nigeria gives rise to extreme concern … The warning signs are flashing bright red: increased numbers of attacks and killings over the last five years with a few notable exceptions,” Callamard said.

“If ignored its ripple effect will spread throughout the sub-region given the country’s important role in the continent.”

She frowned at police and military “brutality” across the country, and a “generalised system of impunity”.

“The time is now to prioritize the rule of law and to make it part and parcel of the Nigerian system,” especially for those living in extreme poverty, she said.

In the last five years, no serious conviction has been recorded about boko haram insurgents, rather they are being absorbed into the army. Recently, the National assembly proposed a ministry to rehabilitate them. Nobody cares about the victims.

“Nigeria is a pressure cooker of internal conflict. The absence of accountability is on such a scale that pretending this is not a crisis will be a major mistake,” said Callamard.

“The increased number of people living in absolute poverty, climate change and desertification, and the increased proliferation of weapons, altogether, these are reinforcing a localized system of violence,” she said.

“I have also considered security repression against Shia Muslims, the indigenous people of Biafra, and against Ogoni people,” Callamard said.

According to her,there had been key decisions made by courts but “these are not being implemented. I am hoping that the government will hear my call and demand that court orders are implemented”.