The storied history of security in Nigeria is not for the faint of heart. But it is imperative to peep through the curtains amid recent events. And while the Attorney General is still blind about the military’s involvement in the Lekki massacre, we glance through Nigeria’s security agents “rap sheet” over the years.
- Nigeria Security Agents contributed over 9.5% of the 40,007 fatalities on civilians between 1997 and 2020;
- Delta State had the highest number of fatalities (1163) perpetrated by security personnel;
- More civilians died from altercations with security agents (2409) than those who died from “violence control” during protests (63);
- Majority of the security personnel who perpetrated acts of violence during the #ENDSARS protests have not been held accountable.
In six decades of Nigeria’s existence, she’s witnessed an endless list of security challenges like villains in a TV series. First was a civil war whose aftermath saw civilians bearing arms. Thereafter, we see an extensive list of actors ranging from Niger-Delta militancy to Boko Haram. Nigeria’s dismal security outlook never missed a beat. The thing to note, however, is security agents’ involvement in perpetrating the insecurity they are supposed to prevent. Data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project speaks to this.
History of violence from Nigeria’s security agents
Nigeria’s security agents (Military and law enforcement) contributed over 9.5% of the 40,007 fatalities between 1997 and 2020. And with an average of 165 deaths per year, the data further notes a 266.67% increase in casualties within the period, only dipping in the last three years. In total, the military and police killed 3802 civilians!
Prevalence by geography
Delta State had the highest number of fatalities (1163) perpetrated by the security personnel. On the flip side, Nasarawa recorded the lowest deaths at 49. Delta accounted for 33.55% of fatalities recorded as there have been numerous reports of military personnel killing civilians.
A further breakdown by local government areas still had Delta on top. There have been numerous reports of military killings in the state which is an indication of the military’s indiscretions. In an article written by The Guardian, the government deployed sea and air strikes to destroy the militants camp in that region. An Amnesty International spokesperson even said, “We fear that hundreds of bystanders, including women and children, have been killed and injured, and thousands of people remain trapped in the area – unable to return to their homes having fled the fighting.” At 1063, Oshimili South LGA had the highest fatalities perpetrated by security personnel. This time, however, Lagos Island recorded the lowest casualties, 71. Oshimili South accounted for 37.01% of fatalities.
Interestingly, more civilians died from altercations with security agents (2409) than those who died from “violence control” during protests (63). Violence against civilians accounted for 63.36% of fatalities. Overall, altercations with security agents took more lives. explosions/remote violence at 1330 followed; then protests with 63 deaths.
Boko Haram – Jamatu Ahli is-Sunnah lid-Dawatai wal-Jihad
Chief perpetrator of civilian casualties, however, remains the sectarian group Boko Haram. And according to a Dataphyte report, Northern Nigeria was the central hit. At 6562, Borno had the highest rate of casualties, while Taraba recorded the lowest fatalities at 22. Overall, Borno accounted for 69.71% of deaths. Concerning LGAs, Kukawa LGA had the highest casualties (2083); Jos North recorded the lowest fatalities at 249. Kukawa accounted for 34.52% of fatalities.
Casualties from Boko-Haram on civilians averaged 942 per year between 2009 and 2020. Fatalities experienced the longest period of growth (+3853) between 2009 and 2014. Fatalities decreased for the last year on record. Data shows that a total of 9420 fatalities have been perpetrated by this notorious group.
The group majorly attacked civilians. Violence against civilians accounted for 78.13% of fatalities. And the deaths that ensued (7360) was higher than fatalities from explosions/remote violence (2060).
Overall, Dataphyte’s analysis of ACLED’s data shows that the activities of the notorious group “Boko-Haram” resulted in a substantial number of civilian fatalities over the years. Nonetheless, the military took part in perpetrating violence against civilians, resulting in 3323 fatalities.
Call to action, not words
While most fatalities came from external forces, Nigeria’s security agencies’ involvement in this is alarming. According to Amnesty International, there has been insignificant progress in ensuring accountability for the human rights violations committed by these security agencies. Even now, there have been numerous cases of security agencies violently disrupting peaceful protests such as the #ENDSARS protest. There have also been several images and videos showing the atrocities committed by the security agencies. In one example, videos show Bolarinwa Abiodun shooting live rounds at protesters. Similarly, there have been reports of police officers at Mushin police station including the DPO firing live rounds at peaceful protesters. A similar case of police indiscretion is the Awkuzu SARS in Anambra state.
Other instances include the military blocking the Lagos Judicial Panel’s access to their mortuary. Recall, the Federal government (FG) set up these panels to investigate the Lekki massacre. Hence, in the legal sense, this could be termed as obstruction of justice.
By and large, the level of insecurity caused by security agents should be a chief concern for the government. And while these challenges may be the effects of a broader accountability and transparency problem, FG needs to take first steps. The Judicial Panel may be one of those decisions, although the red tape and bureaucratic nature of investigations say otherwise. In the end, human life is precious and the government needs to show that with actions, not words.