Group, NHRC walk against torture in Nigeria today

The Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) in collaboration with the National Committee Against Torture (NCAT) and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is launching a torture prevention campaign and anti-torture awareness walk in Abuja today, June 26, to protest against the heinous act of torture and also provide assistance to torture victims and survivors. This is done to mark the 2018 International day for support of victims of torture.

This was announced in a press release by the national coordinator of LEDAP, Mr. Chino Obiagwu. According to him, the rate of torture in Nigeria is on a high and is mostly done by law enforcement agencies against innocent victims.

“In Nigeria, there are daily reports of torture of suspects by police, military and other law enforcement agencies, which are in not in accordance with the constitutional provision prohibiting torture. The perpetrators are not prosecuted and victims are unable to seek redress.

“LEDAP also uses this medium to call on the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Committee Against Torture (NCAT) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to document incidents of torture and demand prosecution of offenders in line with the provisions of the Anti-Torture Act.”