Law Enforcement and Accidental Killings

In recent years, Nigeria has faced a recurrence of accidental killings by law enforcement agents. The tragic loss of innocent lives during police or other security forces operations highlights a problem that requires urgent reform and accountability within the country’s law enforcement sector.

Accidental killings by law enforcement have unfortunately become all too common in Nigeria, which raises concerns about the quality of training, oversight, and adherence to human rights standards by law enforcement agents. Most of the incidents occur during patrols, civil protests, or in response to perceived threats, leading to the loss of innocent lives. Due to underreporting, a lack of transparency, and difficulties in obtaining reliable data, the full extent of the problem is difficult to determine. The problem is compounded by underreporting, a lack of transparency, and difficulties in obtaining reliable data, making it challenging to fully gauge the extent of the issue.

A trend accompanying accidental killings is their occurrence during law enforcement operations. For instance, the killing of a trader at the famous Ahmadu Bello Terminus Market in Jos North, Plateau state,  stemmed from an officer whom news reports tagged as “overzealous“. The death of a two-year-old boy on 13^th July 2023 in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State was also a result of a raid by agents of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. On 30th November 2023, a senior secondary school student became yet another victim of accidental killings by law enforcement in Ogun State. Reports reveal the student was run over by a police officer who was in pursuit of a motorist who escaped extortion. Other incidents show gross unprofessionalism, as seen in the Ikeja Lagos incident in May 2023. The killing was committed by an off-duty police officer accused of notoriously frequenting the area to harass and torment people.

Efforts towards addressing incidents of accidental killings by law enforcement have been seen through the House of Representatives. The killing of a 2-year-old by an NDLEA officer triggered legislative action as a motion was passed to prosecute the officer involved. However, given the frequency of these incidents, an approach in legislation that addresses officers’ conduct and sanctions in perpetuity could be a more effective step. Establishing transparent and independent mechanisms to investigate and punish incidents of accidental killings by law enforcement has become a necessity.

Recurrent killings of Nigerians from law enforcement agents’ stray bullets are a taint on the professionalism of law enforcement and require active measures to cut back on such occurrences. While it is recognisable that there are risks attached to law enforcement operations, caution cannot be thrown to the wind in limiting the risk as it pertains to civilians. Therefore, law enforcement authorities must proactively offer their officers frequent training and sensitisation programs. Law enforcement training programmes that prioritise human rights, de-escalation strategies, and conflict resolution must be improved.