A Civil Rights Organization, Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society, (CEHRAWS), has advocated for an investigative panel to undertake a comprehensive probe into the activities of the RRS in Aba, Abia State.
CEHRAWS in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Okoye, Chuka Peter, expressed deep concern over multiple disturbing reports of sustained human rights abuses allegedly perpetrated by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) stationed at the Aba North Local Government Council Headquarters, Abia State.
The group recalled in the press statement, that a widely publicized account dated Sunday, May 18, 2025, several residents of Aba recounted terrifying experiences involving arbitrary arrest, prolonged unlawful detention, extortion through threats and physical violence, denial of legal representation, and gross inhuman treatment. Of particular concern is the fact that these abuses appear to be systemic, organized, and carried out with blatant disregard for Nigeria’s constitutional and statutory frameworks protecting individual rights and liberties.
One victim, whose identity is withheld for security reasons, reported being arrested without a warrant and subjected to physical assault for refusing to unlock his personal phone. He was denied access to legal counsel and his family while being held at the RRS facility located at the Aba North LGA Secretariat. The officers allegedly claimed they operated above state authority and were accountable only to the office of the Inspector-General of Police, an assertion that, if true, indicates a dangerous collapse in police oversight and institutional control.
CEHRAWS then made a-six-point demand to ensure the fundamental rights of the affected citizens.
”1. The constitution of an independent investigative panel, comprising representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), civil society actors, and the Police Service Commission, to undertake a comprehensive probe into the activities of the RRS in Aba.
2. Immediate release of all individuals detained unlawfully at the RRS facility, and access to urgent medical care for those reported to be in poor health.
3. Suspension and criminal prosecution of all implicated officers, in line with the provisions of the Anti-Torture Act and relevant sections of the Criminal Code.
4. Transparent public briefing by the Abia State Police Command and the Nigeria Police Force headquarters clarifying the operational mandate, chain of command, and oversight structure of the RRS unit operating in Aba.
5. Deployment of mobile legal aid and human rights response clinics to assist families of those detained or reported missing, and to support victims in pursuing judicial remedies.
6. Enforcement of fundamental rights proceedings under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution on behalf of willing victims, with full legal and institutional support.
The group noted the actions of the RRS amount to gross violations of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
”GROSS VIOLATIONS OF CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY PROTECTIONS.
CEHRAWS unequivocally states that the actions of the RRS operatives, as reported, violate multiple provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and other relevant laws, including:
1. Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantees the right to dignity of the human person and prohibits torture or degrading treatment;
2. Section 35(1), which affirms the right to personal liberty, allowing deprivation of liberty only in accordance with due process of law;
3. Section 35(4), which requires that any individual arrested must be brought before a court of competent jurisdiction within 24 or 48 hours, depending on proximity;
4. Section 36(6)(c), which guarantees the right to legal representation of one’s choice;
5. The Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, which has been domesticated in Abia State, prohibits unlawful detention, mandates proper profiling, and prescribes procedures for lawful arrest and interrogation;
6. The Anti-Torture Act, 2017, which prohibits and criminalizes torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Under Section 2(1) of this Act, no justification, whether based on orders from superiors or emergency conditions may be offered as a defense for acts of torture.
A GROWING CULTURE OF IMPUNITY AND SECRET DETENTION.
Particularly disturbing is the reported claim by RRS operatives that they are not subject to the control of the Abia State Commissioner of Police, an assertion echoing the operational posture of the infamous “Tiger Base” unit in Owerri, Imo State. The suggestion that such units are solely accountable to federal command without state oversight is deeply troubling and incompatible with the constitutional order.
Reports indicating that over 25 individuals are currently being held at the RRS facility, some for weeks without charge, documentation, or access to legal or family contact raise credible fears that many missing persons in Abia State may be victims of secret and illegal detention. These acts constitute serious breaches of Nigeria’s obligations under international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Nigeria is a party.
IMPLICATIONS FOR GOVERNANCE AND THE STATE’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENDA.
CEHRAWS calls the urgent attention of the Abia State Government to the wider socio-economic and governance implications of these abuses. Beyond their moral and legal dimensions, unchecked police brutality and institutionalized extortion directly threatens the commercial viability and development trajectory of the state.
The Government of Abia State, under the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, has made significant strides in promoting a business-friendly environment through policies aligned with Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business framework. However, these efforts risk being undermined by the criminal conduct of some law enforcement officers who prey on residents, entrepreneurs, and visitors alike under the guise of policing.
No meaningful development can be sustained in a climate of fear, intimidation, and systemic abuse. Both domestic and foreign investors, SMEs, and informal businesses require the assurance of lawful conduct, digital privacy, and security of persons and property. If left unchecked, these trends will not only erode public trust but also discourage economic participation and long-term investment.
The group noted that the “Nigerian Constitution is not ornamental, it is a binding law and the foundation of our civil order. No police officer or security unit, no matter how highly placed, is above the law. The horrific allegations emerging from Aba constitute not just isolated misconduct but reflect a broader crisis of accountability and abuse of power within law enforcement.”
CEHRAWS, a Civil Rights Organization is committed to inclusive and responsible policing, transparency and accountability in governance, human rights advocacy and defense, youth capacity development, and the campaign against drug abuse.
