Impunity and Justice in Nigeria: Weeping for the Innocent, extra judicial killings on the rise?

Abstract

The right to life is viewed in human rights parlance as sacrosanct. All human rights are of no significance without the right to life as ‘life’ is a prerequisite for the enjoyment of all rights. This paper argues on the security challenges posed by civilian or democratic over sight of security roles in Nigeria. It is posited that this has led to increase in the spate of extra judicial killings in Nigeria championed by informal security sector and the state owned security agencies. Activities of the non conventional security outfits like the Bakasi, OPC are x-rayed reaching a conclusion that Post-colonial Africa has been characterized by a tragic litany of failure of governance. Based on this worrisome phenomenon, this paper espouses the recent increase in the practice of extra judicial killings by both conventional and non conventional security out fits in Nigeria with particular respect to the South Eastern States. Possible modus operandi is proffered in hope of ensuring better respect for the right to life of the citizens and fashioning a healthier model for the security sector and conflict management in Nigeria.