By Obinna Okezie/Gloria David
ABUJA/Nigeria: Human Rights community in Nigeria has called on human rights defenders across the country to stand firm to protect the rights of an intrepid female rights activist, Ogujiofor Ifeoma Lovelyn against any form of brutalization, intimidation and arbitrary arrest by the Nigerian security operatives.
The human rights community gave the charge recently during a press briefing session in Enugu, capital of Enugu state while lamenting the brutal force with which law enforcement agencies are hunting human rights defenders in recent times.
Speaking, the leader of the human rights community, Comrade Nnebede Amandikpe said that the case of Ogujiofor Ifeoma Lovelyn calls for worry, noting that her unwavering stand in human rights issues especially while defending the rights of oppressed Nigerians, sects, Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and other groups facing similar fate has endangered her safety as several threats to her life by faceless persons call for concern.
He noted that Ogujiofor Ifeoma Lovelyn has not appeared at public functions and her voice has not been heard for a couple months since threats to her life took a worrisome dimension.”
The human rights community described the intolerant posture of the security agencies towards human rights defenders as a huge dent on Nigeria’s nascent democracy, adding that it further makes a mockery of the entity called Nigeria in the eyes of democratic nations across the globe.
Continuing, they lamented the obvious despotic posture of the Nigerian government towards emasculating the once vibrand human rights community in the country.
They said, “A situation where human rights defenders don’t have adequate protection despite the huge sacrifice they are making to promote rule of law, seriously put their lives to great risk.”
They further stated, “The reason we’ve come together in one accord to speak out loudly is about our vibrant female activist, Ogujiofor Ifeoma Lovelyn who is being hunted by “strange” and unknown faces in the Nigerian space. In the face of this barbaric trend, we wouldn’t fold our hands to see the life of Ogujiofor Ifeoma Lovelyn being threatened, and her rights being trampled by haters and suppressors of freedom of expression in Nigeria.”
They added, “The developing incidents around the recurring threat to the precious life of Ogujiofor Ifeoma Lovelyn is an ominous sign for rights defenders across the world affirming the fact that the space for freedom of expression is shrinking by the day in our country, Nigeria.”
They said, “On that note, we strongly stand to defend Ogujiofor Ifeoma Lovelyn’s right to freedom of expression, and blatantly condemn any attempt by the law enforcement agencies to intimidate, arrest or brutalize her now or in the coming months or years.”
They added, “despite her present ordeal, however, we will continue to implore Ogujiofor Ifeoma Lovelyn to remain steadfast in her commitment to speak up against the violation of the fundamental rights of vulnerable Nigerians, sects, indigenous groups, and the vast majority of oppressed Nigerians.”
