By Chinedum Anayo
As a young law undergraduate, I was highly articulate and disciplined, often spending my afternoons carefully writing down my objectives and goals for the year, while considering factors such as time and available opportunities.
In my final years of study, I came across a video on Twitter (now X) showing a crowd of Nigerian youths in a part of Abuja surrounding a man accused of theft. I was horrified as I watched them literally set him on fire in an act they referred to as ‘Jungle Justice.’
Overwhelmed with shock and despair, I grabbed one of my books and began to write, grappling with a single, haunting question: What does the Right to Life truly mean?
In that moment, I sought a global perspective and discovered that, according to the United Nations (UN), ‘everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.’
The UN further emphasizes that the right to life is the only right that cannot be suspended, even in times of public emergency.
Moreover, the right to life is crucial for the enjoyment of other rights, such as an adequate standard of living, health, education, and personal security as outlined in international instruments like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Soon, it became clear to me that far greater threats to life loom across the country today.
Today, Nigeria faces a complex web of threats to life, ranging from armed insurgency and violent crime to pressing public health challenges.
For over a decade, banditry and terrorism have cast a long shadow over the nation, leaving fear and destruction in their wake.
Life is consistently threatened by Boko Haram and its splinter groups. The insurgents continue to claim lives and displace communities.
The frequent attacks on schools, villages, and military installations have created a climate of fear, with thousands killed or injured annually.
This represents a profound violation of one of humanity’s most inherent and fundamental rights.
Meanwhile, the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) explicitly guarantees the right to life.
It states: ‘Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be intentionally deprived of his life, except in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria.’
Yet, despite this constitutional protection, countless Nigerian lives continue to be lost.
Kidnapping for ransom has surged across several states and banditry remains a persistent menace, often involving armed raids on villages and highways.
Article 6 of the ICCPR, to which Nigeria is a signatory, declares: ‘Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life.’
This clarifies that the failure to implement effective security measures can constitute a breach of the ICCPR.
The UN Human Rights Committee monitors state compliance with Article 6 of the ICCPR and investigates violations of the right to life.
Previous administrations have persistently battled Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East.
The Tinubu administration has continued such efforts.
Military operations have also been deployed against kidnapping and banditry in the North-West and parts of the Middle Belt, regions where relentless attacks on villages have claimed countless lives.
In terrorism-affected countries like Nigeria, every death, whether resulting from attacks or state actions—must be promptly, thoroughly, and impartially investigated, with perpetrators, whether terrorists or security personnel acting unlawfully, held fully accountable.
Most importantly, the right to life extends beyond rhetoric; truly protecting life also means addressing poverty, inequality, and social marginalization, as neglecting these issues often fuels terrorism.
Former President Obasanjo recently highlighted that these underlying issues frequently contribute to the recruitment of extremists.
It is undeniably true that individuals with limited access to education, jobs, and social mobility are more likely to be exploited by terrorist networks.
These individuals, deprived of a sustainable livelihood become more susceptible to violence and the lure of uprisings.
When communities are marginalized or silenced, extremist agendas can spread rapidly, taking a hold.
These critical issues demand a coherent and decisive response, for the sake of both security and the survival of affected communities.
Therefore, Nigeria has a duty to implement policies that reduce vulnerability and ensure access to basic services that sustain life.
The nation must come up with a robust social safety net that can act as a preventive tool against the destabilizing effects of terrorism.
Protecting and safeguarding life in terrorism-affected countries is not solely about guns and security forces.
The ICCPR recommends that states adopt a holistic approach that addresses the structural, economic, and social conditions enabling violence.
The government bears the crucial responsibility of protecting its citizens and their property while pursuing economic objectives, including creating environments where life is both safeguarded and sustainable.
Chinedum Anayo can be reached via [email protected]
