A coalition of civil society organisations has called on the Inspector General of Police and the Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, to investigate the alleged torture and murder of 17-year-old Abdullahi Tukur Abba, over suspicion of theft.
In a joint statement on Saturday, the groups, condemned the “barbaric and inhumane” torture by members of Operation Farauta, a law enforcement task force set up by the Adamawa State Government, that led to the death of Abba on the 5th of August, 2023.
They noted that any form of torture was a violation of human rights, contravened the Nigerian Constitution, and was a criminal offense under the Anti-Torture Act of 2017.
“We unequivocally denounce the use of torture in any circumstance. It is a clear violation of human rights, contravenes the Nigerian Constitution, and is explicitly criminalized under the Anti-Torture Act, 2017. Torture not only inflicts severe physical and psychological suffering but also undermines the core principles of justice, fairness, and the rule of law.
We call on all relevant stakeholders, including the Adamawa State Commissioner of Police and the Inspector-General of Police, to ensure a swift and thorough investigation into the allegations of torture. The perpetrators of this heinous act must be identified, held accountable, and made to face the full wrath of the law. We demand justice for Abdullahi Tukur Abba, the father of the victim and his grieving family”.
The CSOs also called on the Attorney-General of the Federation, to immediately prosecute persons involved in Abba’s torture, while also calling on the National Human Rights Commission and the National Committee Against Torture, to conduct “comprehensive and impartial investigations into this incident, exercising their oversight functions to ensure that justice prevails”.
“We request their unwavering commitment to upholding the integrity of the rule of law and protecting the rights of every citizen”, they added.
They further urged other civil society groups to join hands to collectively demand justice and accountability, while shedding light on the tragic incident, and working towards preventing similar occurrences in the future.
The statement also read “We stand in solidarity with all victims of torture and reiterate our commitment to the eradication of torture, the protection of human rights, and the pursuit of justice”.
Some of the civil society groups who made the demands include, Access to Justice, Avocats Sans Frontières France / Lawyers Without Borders, Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, Sterling Law Centre and the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, among others.
