Human Rights Commission asks IGP to end police’s siege on Melaye’s house

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has faulted the continued siege on the Abuja home of Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

A statement issued on Friday by NHRC’s spokesman, Lambart Oparah, quoted the commission’s Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu as arguing that the method adopted by the police violated the rights of other occupants of the house.

The NHRC urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to direct the immediate withdrawal of his men from the Senator’s house.

The NHRC said it will continue to condemn acts of impunity by law enforcement agents until they learn to carry out their law enforcement duties within minimum accepted international standards of law enforcement.

The commission added that it will not tolerate any form of impunity, particularly from the security agencies as we approach the elections.

Part of the statement reads: “The NHRC condemns in strong terms the method adopted by the Nigerian Police in laying siege in the house of Senator Dino Melaye and calls on the Inspector General of Police to direct the immediate withdrawal of his men from the Senator’s house.

“Executive Secretary NHRC Tony Ojukwu faults the methodology adopted by the Police in effecting the arrest of Senator Dino Melaye.

“The right to freedom of movement of occupants of the house have been violated consequentially.

“Is Senator Melaye the only occupant of the house? How about the rest of the family and other people in that house and neighborhood?

“It is not a matter of whether the doors are locked from inside or outside but the rest of the people are now terrified and unsure of their security due to the siege.

“Under normal circumstances the Police ought to invite anybody for questioning and not to lay siege in the house thereby threatening infringement of the right of others.”