Baroness Cox, John Eibner Write to Luka Binniyat

…Accuse Aruwan of acting on behalf of a politically ascendant Islamist/Fulani power network

Caroline Cox, an independent member of the UK House of Lords, and Dr. John Eibner, the president of Christian Solidarity International, have written to Luka Binniyat, a journalist imprisoned for his reporting on massacres of Christians in his native southern Kaduna state.

“We admire greatly the courage and determination you have shown in exposing the atrocity crimes committed against the people of Southern Kaduna and elsewhere in the Middle Belt,” they wrote, “especially those that target the region’s defenseless Christian communities.”

Binniyat, a Nigeria Report contributor, was arrested on 4 November for his reporting on the massacre of 38 Christians in Madamai village in southern Kaduna state. He has been detained ever since.

“It is known throughout the world that you were thrown into prison on the orders of a state security agent, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, acting on behalf of a politically ascendant Islamist/Fulani power network,” Cox and Eibner wrote. “As a result, you have been kept there for over two months without bail.”

As Cox and Eibner notes in their letter, on 27 January, the court finally granted Binniyat bail, but under conditions that are difficult to meet. As of this writing, he remains in jail while his supporters assemble the guarantees required by the judge.

“The way the authorities deal with you has all the hallmarks of the political persecution of a journalist and human rights defender,” Cox and Eibner concluded. “While they intend your imprisonment to be an intimidating display of power, it in fact reveals profound weakness on their part. The mighty inevitably become fearful when light is shed on atrocity crimes and the perpetrators who remain unpunished.”

Credit: Christian Solidarity International

BREAKING: Court Grants Journalist Binniyat Bail

A federal high court in Kaduna has granted detained SOKAPU spokesman, journalist Luka Binniyat bail.

Recall that Binniyat was arrested on November 4, 2021 over allegations of cyber stalking.

Details later

Group seeks termination of Kaduna deputy gov’s son appointment for drug addiction, murder

A group under the aegis of Kaduna State Concerned Citizens on Wednesday called on Governor Nasir El-Rufai to terminate the appointment of Ibrahim, son of his deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe.

The group also urged law enforcement agencies to prosecute him, following alleged drug-related offences which include abuse, dangerous driving, and rascality.

Ibrahim is a staff Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority.

According to a press statement signed by the Chairman of the group, Musa Haruna, and the group’s Secretary, Jatau Hakuri, which was obtained by punch correspondent, the group lamented the consequences of Balarabe’s actions.

They also alleged that Ibrahim has on several occasions exhibited actions not befitting of a true citizen of the country, not to talk of one occupying the public position, adding that he has been a notorious ‘drug addict’.

While enumerating various incidence where Ibrahim was culpable, the group stressed that the Police and other security agencies have failed to arrest him nor prosecute him because of the influence of his mother as Deputy Governor of the state.

The statement partly read, “Ibrahim has no regard for the sanctity of human life, which he has shown several times by the way he often recklessly ram into people with his car, with impunity.

“In 2019, Ibrahim drove Government vehicle attached to his mother and hit a person who had parked beside the road. The man died, but nothing was done.

“In Sept 2021, he had three incidences of accidents where he hit people. The most fatal was that of 30th September 2021, when he hit a KASTLEA officer, in which the officer sustained 5 fractures. Yet Ibrahim began to fight other KASTLEA officers. Even at the hospital, he was not remorseful, as he was openly taking drugs. The KASTLEA officer was hospitalised at Barau Dikko.”

They expressed dismay that such a person is given a public position, in government with a track record of integrity, commending the governor for landmark achievements recorded, it urged him to terminate his appointment.

“We express shock at how Ibrahim has gotten away with serious crimes he has committed, such a person is a stain to a government renowned with integrity, justice, equity, and fairness,” the group added.

Punch publication with the exception of header

Nothing must Happen to SOKAPU Spokesman in Prison: Southern Middle Belt Alliance Tells El-rufai

…SaMBA demands immediate release of Journalist Luka Binniyat

Southern and Middle Belt Alliance (SaMBA) has demanded for the immediate release of Spokesman of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Luka Biniyat by the Governor El-rufai’s led administration with immediate effect.

The Group condemned continuous detention of Southern Kaduna Born Journalist and wondered how somebody could be detained for two months in a civil matter.

SaMBA warned that if anything happens to Luka Biniyat, the governor would be held responsible.

In the statement signed by Prince Rwang Pam Jnr. SAMBA stated that while the illegal detention at the maximum-security prisons in Kaduna was at the instance of the the Kaduna State Commissioner for internal Security Samuel Aruwan, the illegality can’t be achieved without approval of the Executive Governor of Kaduna state and Aruwan should remember that he can never be in corridor of power for life.

The statement reads, ” Our Attention has been drawn to the continuous detention of the Spokesman of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Luka Biniyat for the past two months on the Orders of a Magistrate Court in Kaduna on the trumped-up charges filed by the governor El-rufai led administration using the Kaduna State Commissioner for internal Security Mr Samuel Aruwan.

It is shocking and alien to democratic traditions that a matter that ought to be civil in nature is twisted into a high-profile criminal case traceable to terrorism and therefore brought under the terrorism prevention Act. There is no doubt that the Kaduna State government is using its DPP to haunt and use the Judiciary in persecuting its perceived enemies.

The SOKAPU Spokesman was arraigned before the Magistrate Court on an initial offence of injurious falsehood which is ordinarily bailable however when the Bail application was moved before the Magistrate the Kaduna State government through its DPP quickly filed charges of Internet stalking etc under the terrorism prevention Act that are not ordinarily bailable. This move was clearly targeted at keeping Luka Binnyat in prison until his application for bail is heard by a superior Court.
SaMBA is appalled by this crude and inhuman use of institutions of State to harass, humiliate and persecute citizens by a so-called democratic government

SaMBA therefore calls on the Kaduna State government, the Federal government of Nigeria and the international community to take note of the following.
a Luka Binnyat is a Nigerian citizen who is entitled to a fair and unbiased trial before the Courts if he has committed any offence.

b That while in custody of the Kaduna state correctional center, Luka Binnyat is reported to have fallen ill and his health has deteriorated to the point that he is now unable to walk

c Luka Binnyat is under our laws assumed to be innocent until proven guilty by a Court. Therefore, he should not be serving a prison sentence before the commencement of trial.

SaMBA calls on the government of Kaduna State to quickly refrain from the current persecution of Luka Binnyat and allow him to enjoy his liberty as provided by the Nigerian constitution until such a time that such liberty is taken away at the conclusion of his trial if any.

SaMBA states finally that, if anything untoward happens to Luka while under this persecution, the Kaduna state government should be held responsible.

EXCLUSIVE: Binniyat’s Health Condition Worsening in Prison: Prison Source

…Now uses crutches in prison says wife

By Steven Kefas, Kaduna

70 days after the arrest and detention of Epoch times reporter, Mr Luka Binniyat at the kaduna convict prison without trial, the deteriorating health condition of the 2017 award winner of the Nigeria union of journalist (NUJ) “The torch Bearer of Nigeria journalist” seem to be getting worse, prison source told our reporter.

Binniyat was seen being pushed on a wheel chair in the prison premises on Monday as the source said that the former chairman, correspondent chapel of the NUJ, kaduna state chapter, was battling a crippling leg infection.

This was even after it was reported last week that Binniyat was rushed to the prison clinic which had no drugs nor qualified and competant health workers after his inmates where alarmed by the suffering he went through over many nights.

The source said of Binniyat as fearing for his life remains unattended to by a qualified doctor as he has been unable to have any good sleep which May have dangerously heightened his blood pressure.

When contacted, his wife, Gladys Binniyat said that she has been unable to see her husband being the only visitor that is allowed to bring him food twice a week.

“I have not been able to see him since 2nd January, 2022″she said.

“He called me on Monday using the official prison number to my surprise and said that the prison officers in the clinic said that he should buy crutches,”she said.

“I bought the crutches and I have taken them to the prison, yet they didn’t allow me to see him.

“I am very disturbed over his health condition.” she said.

Binniyat’s lawyer, Barrister Ehizogie Fidelis Imadojemu, who also confirmed his deteriorating health conditions to this reporter, said he is worried about the journalist’s condition in prison nwith regards to the snail speed of his trial.

“Luka called me on Monday and told me about the condition of his health in prison, he told me he now uses wheelchair provided by the prison authority.

Barrister Imadojemu also expressed dissatisfaction with the way and manner his client’s case is going after 70 days in detention.

“During one of my regular visits to see him at the Kaduna Minimum Security Custodial Centre, he told me of pains he felt in his legs. In recent time, the pains have increased so that he now moves in a wheelchair.

“From what he told me, it’s an ailment that predates his recent arrest, detention and remand. He has not seen a Doctor. His only contact with a Health care provider in the Custodial Centre to examine the legs was not a Doctor or a Medical Practitioner, properly so called.

“He has had little or no medical attention. I am trying to speak to the authorities at the Custodial Centre so that he meets with a Medical Practitioner immediately as his health is deteriorating very fast.” He said

Barrister Imadojemu further said that charges were filled against Luka at the Federal high court in December but the case is yet to be assigned to s judge.

“Although Charges have been filed against him since early December of 2021, in Case Number: FHC/KD/79c/2021, the case before the Federal High Court, Kaduna, has not been assigned by the Presiding Judge or Senior Judge who normally assigns fresh cases. Consequently, no date has been fixed for his arraignment.

“His bail application filed after the Charges were filed, has also suffered the same fate. Hopefully, when he is arraigned, his bail application will be heard.” Imadojemu said.

Recall that Journalist Luka Binniyat was arrested by men of the Kaduna state Investigation Bureau (SIB) on November 4 2021 over a news article he authored for New York based online newspaper, Epoch times.

Binniyat was alleged to have quoted Senator Danjuma La’ah, the Senator representing Southern Kaduna Senatorial District in a publication on the killings of 38 people in Madamai and Abun communities in Southern Kaduna in September 2021, a publication the Kaduna state commissioner of Internal Security perceived defamatory.

Luka Binniyat: 63 days today behind Bars without bail: HURIWA Raises Alarm Of Alleged Poisoning

Leading Civil Rights Advocacy Group-: HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has raised alarm that some dark forces embedded inside the Kaduna State government may have deliberately ‘poisoned’ or may be contemplating poisoning the Global Spokesman of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) Comrade Luka Biniyat illegally detained at the maximum security prisons in Kaduna at the instance of the the Kaduna State Commissioner for internal Security Samuel Aruwan. 

The Civil Rights organization- HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has called on the Kaduna State Governor Nasir Elruffai to call his commissioner to order to stop using the Kaduna State judiciary to illegally detain the Kaduna born frontline International journalist over a civil matter of alleged libel against the person of the aforementioned Commissioner who incidentally hails from the same Southern Kaduna State and is also a trained Journalist like the illegally incarcerated Journalist.  

“We call on the Kaduna State governor to prevent any untoward thing from being inflicted on the person of the detained Journalist by some evil forces just as the RIGHTS GROUP SAID the detained journalist is confirmed critically ill inside the Prison by his Wife who visited him Yesterday. We call on the Kaduna State House of Assembly to ensure that the life of this illustrious Son of the State is not endangered in anyway by any reactionary elements whilst he is being illegally detained without bail for 63 days over a mere civil related cause of action which ordinarily shouldn’t be subjected to official manipulation “. 

HURIWA said thus:  “On 3rd November 2021, a complaint was made to the Kaduna state commissioner of police, alleging that a news story, authored by Luka in the Epoch Times, a US-based magazine, defamed the complainant. 

Luka was alleged to have quoted Senator Danjuma La’ah, the Senator representing Southern Kaduna in the national assembly but the senator surprisingly came out to deny making the comments he was quoted to have said in the said publications. The police then arrested Luka, the next day, 4th November on charges of injurious falsehood and defamation. 

In the First Information Report (FIR), after Luka was arrested and before charging him to court,  the complaint was changed to cyberstalking according to section 24 (b) of the cybercrime prohibition prevention act of 2015. Luka subsequently was detained in 3 different police facilities including the notorious CID cell where he passed through very dehumanising conditions.

Luka was taken to a magistrate court in Barnawa on the 9th and then on the 10th of November. Luka’s lawyers applied for his bail while the police prosecuting lawyers opposed it.  On 10th November when his bail was denied, he was transferred to the kaduna prison from the Police cell in Gabasawa. 

On 23rd November, he was brought to court again and all parties made their submissions.  Luka’s lawyers argued that because cyberstalking is not within the jurisdiction of a magistrate court the court was illegally detaining Luka on a case it has no power on. The police prosecuting lawyer opposed it, saying they have sent their report to the state ministry of justice and are still waiting for legal advice.  

The Judge then gave 6th December for the bail hearing. But he didn’t come on that 6th. He said he started his annual leave on the 1st of December. He now gave a new date of 29 December for the bail ruling.  But on the 29th of December, the judge didn’t come to court while Luka wasn’t even brought to court too. 

Luka’s lawyers then concluded plans to apply to a higher court, but while Luka was in prison, the state filed the case at a state high court and served him the papers in prison.

So, 63 days today Luka is still in prison, waiting for his first appearance at the state high court where the case would be starting afresh and the bail application starting afresh.

Luka’s trial is marred by irregularities, the margistrate who first ordered his detention seems not to be independent to make any decision even when it is clear he should.

His wife visited him yesterday and said she couldn’t see him because he was too sick to come see her at the visiting room. She said he is suffering from severe leg pain which might have been made worse by the poor living conditions in the prison. We have also gathered that he was taken to the poorly equipped prison clinic on a wheelchair yesterday.” 

HURIWA has therefore served the Kaduna State Government to within 48 hours produce the detained Journalist in a court of competent jurisdiction so he can apply for jail just as HURIWA threatened to take steps to alert the World about the speculated plots by certain UNKNOWN MEMBERS OF THE DEEP STATE in Kaduna State to eliminate Comrade Luka Biniyat by food poisoning. 

SOKAPU, Sowore Call For Sanction, Travel Ban On El-Rufai, Demand Immediate Release Of Journalist Luka Binniyat

Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has called on the international community to sanction Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, over the continued detention of a journalist, Mr Luka Binniyat.

Binniyat is also the spokesperson for Southern Kaduna Peoples Union.

Sowore also called on the Kaduna governor to order the release of the journalist as matter of urgency and necessity.

He made the call on Saturday in Abuja during a press conference organised by Southern Kaduna Peoples Union and civil society organisations
over the continued detention and persecution of the journalist.

Sowore said it had become official policy of the President Muhammadu Buhari regime to do everything to silence, victimise and frustrate journalists and activists opposed to terrorism in Nigeria.

He said Governor el-Rufai had a penchant for gagging citizens and journalists, who cross his path or have critical view of his administration.

Sowore said, “It is known that the governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, is one of the most intolerant governors when it comes to free speech in Nigeria.

“It is important not just to call on international community to sanction Nigeria but in particular I want to call for sanction of el-rufai as violator of free speech.

“I know for a fact that el-Rufai cannot travel to too many decent countries around the world anymore. I am aware he has been banned from entering the United States. But I think it is time he is banned from entry into any country around the world that have respect for fundamental rights particularly press freedom.

“I want to call on the Committee for the Protection of Journalists to declare el-Rufai one of the major violators of media freedom around the world.”

The activist added that there was no end in sight for attacks on journalists and violation of press freedom until individuals were held accountable for their atrocities and ignoble behaviour towards journalists.

He added that the Kaduna governor was not only known for ordering the arrest and detention of journalists in the state but also known for filing ‘libel suits’ against them despite the fact that he was a public office holder.

Sowore explained that the governor was in the habit of manipulating and abusing courts in the state for his selfish agenda.

He added, “Not only does el-Rufai engage in bullying online but his children are also bullies.  So, it is almost a psychological problem running in his family to be intolerant of posting views and I think the world should take note of this before it becomes a murderous act.

“It is dangerous because he is using official channels to mobilise criminals against these reporters.

“It is also urgent that Luka Binniyat is released immediately. Not only should he be released, but his security should be guaranteed because I am very sure that the governor of Kaduna State will use official and unofficial means to silence this particular individual.”

On his own part, National President of SOKAPU, Jonathan Asake, said Binniyat had been arrest and detained for five weeks without being  granted bail.

Asake called on el-Rufai and other government  officials responsible for his continued detention without trial to allow the courts to do their work and stop the persecution.

He said the journalist was arrested and charged for cyberstalking at a magistrate court that had no jurisdiction and since then he had been held despite his health challenges.

He said, “For over six years running, communities in Southern Kaduna have incessantly come under severe attacks by Fulani killer Herdsmen.

“These attackers usually invade our vulnerable and defenseless communities at odd hours unprovoked, where they mercilessly massacre the hapless villagers (mostly women and children being the greatest casualty), they maim, rape our women, destroy our properties, food stores and crops, abduct many more people into the bushes and often time occupy our lands with the government of the day doing nothing about it with no effort to bring perpetrators to justice.

“These atrocious and barbaric attacks on our communities which often times are of genocidal scale, have become the norm where presently we have over 108 identified communities have been displaced and living in dehumanising conditions as internally displaced persons without food or any social amenities like schools for the children and health care facilities.

“It is these kind of atrocities regularly meted out on our people that comrade Luka Binniyat, a journalist and true son of Southern Kaduna has refused to be silent about but committed himself to relentlessly expose them against the apparent complicit posture of the government authorities in Kaduna state which has continued to clamp down on press freedom and free speech as opposed to provisions of our national constitution.

“We are hereby calling on the government in Kaduna that are responsible for his continuous detention without trial to allow the courts to do their work and stop the persecution.

“We also call the attention of all media practitioners, the civil society and the international community to be on notice that free speech and the press are under siege in Kaduna State.”

[Saharareporters]

No Difference Between Nigerian Securities and Terrorists ― El-Zakzaky

The Leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, has accused the Nigerian securities of appearing like terrorists while on mission.

The Islamic Cleric who said this at the 6th Anniversary of Zaria Massacre accused the Nigerian Army of killing over one thousand of his followers in Zaria and took away their bodies.

“Men in uniform are sent to unleash terror on people–soldiers, policemen and secret police, who do not wear uniforms. In fact, nowadays, they even wear terrorist garments–meaning, they hide their own faces in the same way terrorists do.

“The state has become an instrument of terrorism, that it has taught the people to be violent! People have been forced, due to circumstances, to become violent, because the state has become violent.

“We are talking about rights. We have to understand that this society can never be in order unless those in authority respect the rights of other people.

“Those in authority think they are the law (or rather) above the law, that they can take the life of anybody at any moment. They care about no amount of talk, preaching or advice; they don’t simply care. They are indifferent to what happens to other people,” he said.

He said in Nigeria, the right to life which is a fundamental human right has been taken away from the citizens.

“This right to life, including other rights, is enshrined in the Nigerian constitution, which those in authority always swear to protect. They swear in holy books they believe in (the Holy Qur’an, and the Bible).

“Alas, we find in present society today right to life is actually taken away. Those in authority think that they have the right to take the life of anyone at any moment.

“Extrajudicial killings have become an order of the day. Instruments of law enforcement that are employed to protect the law are now being used (by those in authority) to violate the law.

“See what is happening now in this society in which everybody seems to be in a state of fear, including those in the authority of course because they would never have peace if other people are not in peace as well! So, the most important right which everybody must protect is the right to life.

You don’t have the right to take the lives of others; you don’t even have the right to take your own life–nobody has the right to commit suicide. You don’t have the right to commit abortion; because, if your mother had aborted you, you would not have been alive. Nobody has the right to take the life of anybody!

“Similarly, there is the right of environment, there is the right of all the living creatures, including animals; they have rights! The dead also have rights–the right to be honoured after their death with funeral that is in accordance with their own laws and cultures.

“But, nowadays, you can see, those in authority think that they can kill and even burn the bodies or take them to an unknown destination and bury them in mass grave.

“The Zaria Massacre which happened six years ago is a case in question, wherein three days the Nigerian Army cordoned the city of Zaria, including all the routes leading to the city, murdered over one thousand people and took all their bodies and bury them in different mass graves. On top of this, they arrested about five hundred people for the alleged ‘murder’ of one soldier. Of course, all the courts have discharged and acquitted all those they had arraigned before them,” the Shi’ites leader noted.

While accusing the government of trying to hide the evidence of the killings in Zaria, El-Zakzaky said the government had already murdered peace when it killed his followers in Zaria.

“See how those in authority want to wipe out even the evidence about the atrocity they have committed. This was the first step this administration took, and you can see, subsequently, how wanton killings become the order of the day.

“Now people are living in perpetual fear everywhere. You can not murder others and expect yourself to stay in peace. They have (by committing Zaria Massacre) already murdered peace!

“We need to rethink a future. Some people were asking me, is there any bright future for this country? I say, there is! We are not living in a hopeless society. Certainly, there is hope, but the hope has to lie in the people, not those in authority.

“We have no confidence in those in authority because they are indifferent to what happens to the society. But the people have to rise up and urge for a better future for our society. We hope in the near future things may change for the better–that is our hope,” he added.

(Tribune)

Ballason Slams N1Billion Suit Against El-rufai And Six Others For Shutdown of Telecommunication Networks

Kaduna based Human Rights Lawyer, Gloria Mabeiam Ballason Esq,  has sued the Kaduna State Governor, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and 5 telecommunications companies for shutdown of telephone services and the internet; an action she alleges was not backed by law, violated her rights and the rights of affected citizens resident in Kaduna State.

The lawyer who is also alleging that the action of the Kaduna State Governor and the government does not satisfy the constitutional exception of “…any law reasonably justifiable in a democratic society in the interest of defence, public safety and  public order…” said more lives who could not call for help from security agents perished while businesses and means of livelihood of  citizens in Kaduna State were grossly affected by the shutdown of telecommunication networks in the state.

The Suit also calls the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), an independent national regulatory body established by law, to answer the question whether it is answerable  to the Governor of Kaduna State or bound by the law that governs it.

The Suit  which was filed at the Federal High Court, sitting at Abuja- F.C.T.  is on behalf of the Applicant and affected citizens. She says her litigation work, online HOJRADIO/TV and annual House of Justice Summit & Banquet were greatly affected by the shutdown while Nigerian  citizens resident in Kaduna State whose rights have been, is been or likely to be violated due to the network shutdown, suffered astronomic loses without a commensurate improvement in the security situation in Kaduna State.

Others sued in the suit include the Attorney General of Kaduna State, Airtel Networks Limited, GlobalCom Limited, Emirates Telecommunication Group Company (Carrying out business in Nigeria under the name and style of Etisalat and now 9mobile) and MTN Group LTD.

BREAKING: UK Parliament To Debate Petition For Sanction Against Human Rights Abuses Of Buhari Administration

The United Kingdom Parliament will, on Wednesday, debate a petition submitted to it which called for sanctions against the Nigerian Government and its officials over cases of human rights abuse during the #EndSARS movement. 

Members of the Parliament will hold a debate on Magintsky sanctions and human rights abuses today (Wednesday) at the Westminster Hall. 

The debate which will start at 2:30 pm (1.30 pm Nigerian time) will be led by parliamentarian Chris Bryant.

In October 2020, a petition was filed which condemned the illegal activities of the now disbanded unit of the Nigeria Police force, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) which led to a protest and consequent shooting of peaceful protesters by members of Nigeria’s security force.

The petitioners argued that deploying sanctions against the government would serve as a deterrent to anyone involved in human rights abuses.

It reads, “Implement sanctions against the Nigerian Government and officials

The Government should explore using the new sanctions regime that allows individuals and entities that violate human rights around the world to be targeted, to impose sanctions on members of the Nigerian government and police force involved in any human rights abuses by the Nigerian police.

“There have been deeply concerning reports of a Nigerian police force unit (SARS) engaging in illegal activities and human rights abuses, and there have also been reports of police firing at protestors calling for SARS to be disbanded.

“Deploying sanctions would provide accountability for and be a deterrent to anyone involved in violations of human rights.”

All petitions run for six months and by the time the petition closed, it had gathered 221,258 signatures and the United Kingdom government responded on November 11, 2020.

Responding in a statement issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the government said it is concerned by violence during the protests and was waiting on the outcome of Nigerian investigations into reports of police brutality. 

The response stated, “The UK Government is deeply concerned by violence during recent protests in Nigeria, which tragically claimed lives. Our thoughts are with the families of all those affected.

“The Foreign Secretary issued a statement on 21 October calling for an end to the violence and for the Nigerian Government to urgently investigate reports of brutality by its security forces and hold those responsible to account. 

“The Minister for Africa tweeted on 16 October, noting that the Nigerian people’s democratic and peaceful calls for reforms, and again on 21 October, encouraging the Nigerian authorities to restore peace and address concerns over brutality towards civilians. 

“He reiterated these messages when he spoke to Foreign Minister (Geoffrey) Onyeama on 23 October. The British High Commissioner in Abuja has also raised the protests with representatives of the Nigerian Government and will continue to do so.

“We welcome President Buhari’s decision to disband the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and the establishment of judicial panels of inquiry to investigate alleged incidents of brutality by the security services. 

“They must investigate all incidents, including in Lagos, fully. The Minister for Africa tweeted on 29 October stressing the importance of the police and military’s cooperation with the panels. He raised this, and the need for the panels to urgently start investigations, when he spoke to the Governor of Lagos on 11 November.

“The UK Government will continue to work with the Nigerian Government and international and civil society partners to support justice, accountability and a more responsive policing model in Nigeria. 

“We will continue to push for the Nigerian security services to uphold human rights and the rule of law, investigate all incidents of brutality, illegal detentions and use of excessive force, and hold those responsible to account.

“On 6 July, the Government established the Global Human Rights sanctions regime by laying regulations in Parliament under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018. 

“In a statement to Parliament, the Foreign Secretary set out in full the scope of the UK’s new Global Human Rights sanctions regime. He announced the first tranche of designations, as well as the Government’s approach to future designations.

“This sanctions regime will give the UK a powerful new tool to hold to account those involved in serious human rights violations or abuses. 

“The sanctions regime is not intended to target individual countries. It will allow for sanctions to be imposed on individuals and entities involved in serious human rights violations or abuses around the world.

“We will continue to consider potential designations under the Global Human Rights sanctions regime. It is longstanding practice not to speculate on future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce the impact of the designations.

“The UK Government will keep all evidence and potential listings under close review.”

[Saharareporters]