A Growing Pattern of Abuse: Military Checkpoints and the Erosion of Human Rights in Nigeria

Human rights violations in Nigeria are not confined to isolated incidents; they are often deeply ingrained in the everyday interactions between civilians and those in positions of authority. The abuse of power is frequently on display, especially when military personnel take the law into their own hands, exhibiting arbitrary authority over civilians without consequence. One such incident – witnessed during a journey from Obudu to Ikom in Cross River State – provides a chilling example of how the military, unchecked and emboldened, continues to violate the rights of ordinary citizens.

The scene unfolded at a routine army checkpoint along the route. From the outset, it seemed like a simple encounter – one we all encounter as travellers passing through security checks. However, as we waited in the bus, it became evident that something far more disturbing was happening behind the scenes. The commercial driver, without any official order to stop, simply pulled the vehicle over. This, it seemed, was a silent agreement between the soldiers and the drivers: the drivers would make a payment, and the checkpoint would be bypassed without further inspection.

The exchange, though discreet, was unmistakable. Our driver left the bus to meet with the soldiers, and from the rear window, I saw him hand over a sum of money to one of the officers. While the exact amount was unclear, it was obvious that this was a regular, illicit practice that involved paying bribes to proceed without delay. But as I began to digest the unsettling nature of what was happening, something worse was about to unfold.

A young boy, no older than 15, sat beside me, his curious gaze focused on the transaction between our driver and the soldiers. His innocent mistake–looking too closely at what was taking place–seemed to have caught the attention of the officers. Without warning, they called him out. He was ordered to step off the bus, and the soldiers handed him a cutlass, instructing him to go and clear tall grasses in the nearby area. The sheer audacity of this act stunned me. It was clear that this boy had done nothing wrong; his only transgression was observing the illegal transaction. Yet, he was made to perform menial labour as punishment.

As we sat in the bus, the minutes felt like hours. I was uneasy – not just for the boy, but for myself. My final destination was Calabar, not Ikom, and I had no idea how much longer we would be held up by this unprovoked action. After what felt like an eternity, another vehicle approached the checkpoint. The process repeated itself: the driver parked without being stopped, went to settle with the soldiers, and then returned to his vehicle. However, this time, a passenger, who had also noticed the proceedings, made the mistake of looking too closely at what was happening.

The consequence was swift. The soldier barked at him to come down and take over the task of clearing the tall grass from where the young boy stopped. The power dynamics at play were staggering – those who dared to question or even observe the soldiers' actions were subjected to cruel and degrading treatment, simply for being curious about what was transpiring in front of them. Only after this was done was our bus permitted to leave. The final insult came when the boy returned to the bus. One of the soldiers mockingly said to him, "We hope you have seen all that you needed to see?"

This experience, like the earlier video of the soldier whipping a young man, highlights the ongoing trend of military brutality and the erosion of human rights in Nigeria. These incidents are a stark reminder of how the military operates beyond the law, with impunity, and without any regard for the dignity or rights of Nigerian civilians.

A Reflection of Systemic Corruption

The nature of these incidents speaks volumes about the systemic issues within Nigeria’s security forces. What started as a simple bribe exchange at a checkpoint evolved into a grotesque display of abuse of power, as soldiers imposed arbitrary punishment on innocent civilians. The message they send is clear: the military is beyond reproach, and they can treat citizens however they please without facing any consequences.

This particular instance, like many others, is not just an isolated case of misconduct. It’s part of a broader, systemic culture where the military, unchecked by the rule of law, abuses its power and subjects civilians to arbitrary mistreatment. The fact that these soldiers felt confident enough to humiliate and degrade a young boy simply for observing them, or to force another passenger into manual labour because they were too curious, speaks to a deep-rooted culture of entitlement and corruption that runs through Nigeria’s military institutions.

The Role of the Government: Upholding the Rule of Law

As this pattern of abuse continues unchecked, it is critical for the Nigerian government to take decisive action. The military’s primary responsibility is to protect the nation and maintain security–not to enforce arbitrary punishments on civilians. Their duties are clearly outlined in the Constitution, and any actions that stray from this remit constitute not just an abuse of power but also a violation of human rights.

The Nigerian government must take urgent steps to hold military personnel accountable for their actions. This includes ensuring that soldiers are properly trained in their roles and responsibilities, emphasizing respect for human dignity, and implementing clear policies regarding military-civilian interaction. Furthermore, strict accountability measures must be established to ensure that those who violate citizens' rights are brought to justice.

The government must also tackle the corruption that facilitates such incidents, where soldiers extort drivers and passengers alike through unofficial payments. Military check posts should not be breeding grounds for criminal activity, and such corrupt practices must be eradicated.

A Nation at a Crossroads

Nigeria is at a crucial juncture. We can choose to continue tolerating a military that operates as a law unto itself, or we can demand a better, more accountable system that upholds the rule of law and protects the rights of every Nigerian citizen. The government’s inaction on these matters only serves to perpetrate a culture of impunity and violence.

For Nigeria to truly advance as a democracy, it is imperative that we address these human rights violations and hold the perpetrators accountable. We cannot continue to ignore the suffering of ordinary citizens at the hands of those who should be protecting them. If we ever hope to become a nation that respects the dignity and rights of its people, it is about time the government took action and put an end to military brutality and corruption in our security forces.

Until that happens, we will remain trapped in a cycle of abuse, where the powerful continue to oppress the powerless, and the rule of law is little more than a distant ideal.

                                                      Okom, Emmanuel Njor  (PhD)