Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Militarised Repression: The Weaponization of Armed Forces Against Civil Protest and Its Human Rights Implications in Nigeria

O D Michael, C G Offor, Okechukwu Divine Michael, Chibuikem Golden Offor

Abstract

The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to democratic expression and civic engagement. In Nigeria, however, these rights face growing threats from militarised repression, marked by the deployment of armed forces, including the police, to brutally suppress civil demonstrations. This trend raises serious constitutional and human rights concerns, especially in a country that professes democratic governance. The core problem addressed by this study is the increasing reliance on military force to handle civilian protests, leading to gross violations of constitutionally protected freedoms. The aim of this paper is to critically examine the legal framework regulating the involvement of armed forces in civil protest situations in Nigeria. Specifically, the objectives are to evaluate the legality and legitimacy of military and police intervention in internal security matters, and to assess their compliance with international human rights standards. Adopting the doctrinal research method, the paper analyses constitutional provisions, statutes, international treaties, and case laws. A key finding is the erosion of accountability and the resulting culture of impunity that follows state repression, especially evident in events like the 2020 EndSARS protests and the 2024 End-Bad Governance Protest. These actions are often justified by the government on grounds of state security and public order, yet they lead to widespread violation of rights and close off avenues for redress through government denial and repression. The paper recommends clear legal boundaries between military and policing roles, institutional judicial reforms to strengthen governmental accountability, and strict adherence to international human rights standards to protect civil liberties. It also contributes to the broader discussion on civil-military relations by highlighting the dangers of conflating military and police functions in Nigeria’s internal security manag

Keywords

Militarised RepressionCivil ProtestsHuman RightsSocial contractArmed forces.

References

1Okechukwu Divine Michael LL.B (Hons),Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. Email: [email protected]. 2 Chibuikem Golden Offor LL.B. (Hons), Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Email: [email protected] 3Human Rights Watch (HRW), ‘The Ogoni Crisis: A Case-Study of Military Repression in Southeastern Nigeria’, (1 July 1995) <https://www.refworld.org/reference/countryrep/hrw/1995/en/21522> accessed 11 July 2025 4 Ibid 5 V Chidubem & E Tochukwu, ‘Protests and blood on the streets: repressive state, police brutality and EndSARS protest in Nigeria’ (2021) Security Journal<https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8456068/?utm> accessed 11 July 2025 6O. Adisa, ‘The Military Dimension of Niger Delta Crisis and Its Implications on Nigeria National Security’ (2020) SageOpen Journal (10)(2) <https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2158244020922895> accessed 11 July 2025 7 E. Agabi Et al, ‘Social Media and October 2020 Endsars Protest: Rethinking Police Reforms in Nigeria’ (2024) Journal of Public Administration and Social Welfare Research (9)(4) <https://iiardjournals.org/get/JPASWR/VOL.%209%20NO.%204%202024/SOCIAL%20MEDIA%20AND%20OC TOBER%20177-189.pdf> accessed 11 July 2025 8 D Jack, Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice (3rd edn, NewYork: Cornell University Press 2003) Pg 25. 9 Internet Encyclopaedia of Philosophy, ‘Social Contract Theory ‘ <https://iep.utm.edu/soc-cont/> accessed 11 July 2025 10 J Locke, Second Treatise of Government (London: Awnsham Churchill, 1690) <https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/7370> accessed 11 July 2025 11 A Salako, ‘The Breakdown of Social Contract: Understanding Nigeria’s Nationwide Protests’ (2025) African Liberty.Org <https://www.africanliberty.org/2025/05/15/the-breakdown-of-social-contract-understanding-nigeriasnationwide-protests/?utm> accessed 11 July 2025 12Peaceful Assembly Worldwide, ‘The right of peaceful assembly in Nigeria’ <https://www.rightofassembly.info/country/nigeria> accessed 11 July 2025 13Ibid 14 [2007] 18 NWLR (Pt. 1066) 457 at 498 15 Supra 16 PlacNg.Org, ‘CBN Freezes Accounts Linked to EndSARS Promoters’ (Nigeria, November 12 2020)<https://placng.org/Legist/cbn-freezes-accounts-linked-to-endsars-promoters/?utm_source=chatgpt.com> accessed 11 July 2025 17RobertFKennedyHumanRights.Org, ‘Omoyele Sowore Faces Life in Prison for Organizing Peaceful Protests’ (March 16 2020) <https://rfkhumanrights.org/press/omoyele-sowore-faces-life-in-prison-for-organizing-peacefulprotests/> accessed 11 July 2025 18US Department of State, ‘Country Reports on Terrorism 2021: Nigeria’ (2021) <https://www.state.gov/reports/country-reports-on-terrorism-2021/nigeria/> accessed 11 July 2025 19 M Evans, ‘Aba Women Riots of 1929’ (Nigeria, March 27 2009) <https://www.blackpast.org/global-africanhistory/aba-womens-riots-november-december-1929/?utm> accessed 11 July 2025 20Human Rights Watch.Org, ‘Nigeria Permanent Transition Current Violations of Human Rights in Nigeria’, (1996) <https://www.hrw.org/reports/1996/Nigeria.htm?utm> accessed 11 July 2025. 21N Ibekwe, ‘Odi Massacre: Court orders Nigerian Government to pay N37bn damages to residents’ (Nigeria, February 20, 2013) <https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/121196-odi-massacre-court-orders-nigeriangovernment-to-pay-n37bn-damages-to-residents.html?tztc=1> accessed 11 July 2025 22 Amnesty International, ‘Nigeria: Families of hundreds of Shi’a Muslims killed in Zaria still await justice’, (Nigeria, December 2013) <https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2017/12/nigeria-families-of-hundredsof-shia-muslims-killed-in-zaria-still-await-justice/> accessed 11 July 2025 23O.Adetayo, ‘Why we won’t release El-Zakzaky despite court order – FG’ (Abuja, January 20, 2017) <https://punchng.com/wont-release-el-zakzaky-despite-court-order-fg-2/> accessed 11 July 2025 24 S.Busari, ‘Nigerian judicial panel condemns 2020 Lekki toll gate shooting as ‘a massacre’ (Nigeria, November 16, 2021) <https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/15/africa/lekki-tollgate-judicial-panel-report-intl> accessed 11 July 2025 25 Amnesty International, ‘Nigeria: Authorities must stop attempts to cover up Lekki Toll Gate massacre – new investigative timeline’, (Nigeria, October 28, 2020) <https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/pressrelease/2020/10/nigeria-authorities-must-stop-attempts-to-cover-up-lekki-toll-gate-massacre-new-investigativetimeline/> accessed 11 July 2025 26 T Obiezu, ‘Amnesty International says Nigerian police killed 24 in crackdown on August protests’ (Nigeria, November 28, 2024) <https://www.voanews.com/a/amnesty-international-says-nigerian-police-killed-24-incrackdown-on-august-protests/7880554.html> accessed 11 July 2025 27O. Adetayo, ‘Nigeria military warns it will intervene to stop violence at looming protests’ (Nigeria, July 25 2024) <https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigeria-military-warns-it-will-intervene-stop-violence-looming-protests2024-07-25/?utm> accessed 11 July 2025 28 ST. James & G. Chukwunoyenim, ‘Analysing The Legal Boundaries Of Protests And The Right To Life In Nigeria’ (2022) International Journal of Law <https://www.lawjournals.org/assets/archives/2022/vol8issue6/8-5-58- 512.pdf?utm> accessed 11 July 2025 29United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, ‘Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials’ (September 7, 1990) <https://www.ohchr.org/en/instrumentsmechanisms/instruments/basic-principles-use-force-and-firearms-law-enforcement> accessed 11 July 2025 30 B. Bukarti, ‘Revisiting the Beginning of Boko Haram’ (January 24, 2022) <https://warontherocks.com/2022/01/revisiting-the-beginning-of-boko-haram/> accessed 11 July 2025 31 T. Hamilton et al, ‘Targeted Sanctions as a Pathway to Accountability: An Active Role for Civil Society?’ (2024) Journal of International Criminal Justice (22)(2) <https://academic.oup.com/jicj/article-abstract/22/2/345/7727639> accessed 11 July 2025

More Articles from JOURNAL OF LAW AND GLOBAL POLICY

A Critical Appraisal of Employment Contracts Under the Nigerian Law: Rights, Obligations, Termination, and Remedies

Author: Somotun, Olufemi Olalekan, PhD, Nwobodo, Nnamdi Joseph, Esq, Avoseh, Francis, Pedepo, Elijah, Udeme Dapo, Udofia, Kenneth Thompson, Okon, Imoh Essien, Mhambe Celestine Tersoo

State Responses to Hybrid Threats in Nigeria: A Critical Analysis of Terrorism, Banditry and Separatist Agitations, 2010-2025

Author: Adebimpe Saheed Fagbemi, Ph.D., Muhammad Sani Idris Doctoral Candidate, Mudassir Nasir, Ph.D.