The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed its Jos Office to launch full scape investigation into the extra judicial killing of 20 year old undergraduate of University of Jos, Mr. Rinji Peter Bala popularly known as ‘Bobo’ who was allegedly killed on Tuesday 12th May, 2020 by security personnel attached to Operation Safe Haven after being arrested in his community.

The apex Human rights body described the killing of Rinji as inhuman and a gross violation of his right to life as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended and other international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a party.

This was contained in a statement signed by its Director Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Lambert Oparah which reads;

PRESS RELEASE 
17th May 2020

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION  INVESTIGATES THE EXTRA JUDICIAL  KILLING OF UNIJOS UNDERGRATUATE , RINJI PETER BALA.

The National Human Rights  Commission ( NHRC) has condemned in strong terms the recent gruesome killing of a young University of Jos undergraduate, Rinji Peter Bala allegedly by security operatives along  Zaria Road, Jos, Plateau State.

The Commission’s  Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu esq said the apex Human rights body has launched a full scale investigation into the unfortunate death of  the student sequel to the preliminary  findings received by the office headquarters, Abuja.
The Commission described the killing of Rinji as inhuman and a gross violation of his right to life as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended and other international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a party.

Consequently, the Commission Ojukwu said  has directed the Jos office of the Commission to investigate  the  circumstances surrounding the killing of the young man with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.
A release by the Director Corporate Affairs and External Linkages of NHRC, Lambert  Oparah, quoted the Executive Secretary to have appealed to members of the public to remain calm promising  that all those involved in the dastardly act will be fished out and brought book.

“This is in line with the Commission’s  mandate of  monitoring and investigating  all alleged cases of human rights violations in the country and seek appropriate redress and remedies  for victims”

 The NHRC Executive Secretary Commiserated  with the family of  the deceased  and calls for calm , assuring that no stone will be left unturned in getting to the root of the sad  incident .

At the wake of the COVID-19 Lockdown,  the NHRC has been working with relevant CSO’S and members of the public in monitoring and documenting human rights violations by law enforcement agencies. Between 31st March and 4th May 2020 , of the lockdown, the Commission documented a total of 209 rights violations bordering on Extra Judicial killings,  torture, inhuman and degrading treatment,violations of rights to freedom of movement,  unlawful arrest and detention, seizure of properties,  Gender based ,  (SGBV) as well as domestic violence . Twenty-nine (29) of the complaints  were  extrajudicial killings, resulting to deaths.

Lambert  Oparah 
Director Corporate Affairs and External Linkages
17TH MAY 2020.

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Rinji’s Murder: Nat. Human Rights Commission Launches Full Scale Investigation into Extra Judicial Killing