Reports state Security forces KILLED more People than COVID-19 did in Nigeria

Nigerian security forces have killed at least 18 people while enforcing curfew in order to curb the spread of the novel Coronavirus. The National Human Rights Commission of the country released a report on Wednesday that stated that it has documented “105 complaints of incidents of human rights violations perpetuated by security forces.” Cases have been reported in 24 out of the 36 Nigerian states and Abuja, the capital. 

According to the report from the country’s human rights body, eight of those incidents were extra judicial killings that led to 18 deaths in total. Further, the report highlights that the tally of killings was higher than the recorded number of COVID- 19 deaths in the country. 

The commission criticized the security agents and accused them of "excessive or disproportionate use of force, abuse of power, corruption and non-adherence to national and international laws, best practices and rules of engagement."

Nigeria has imposed a complete lockdown in its capital Abuja, Ogun state and at the commercial capital Lagos. Citizens and international rights bodies have been in distress due to the rise in crime since the outbreak of Coronavirus Pandemic in the region. 

As of today, 442 positive cases of COVID- 19 and 13 deaths have been reported in Nigeria.