Investigation Of Misappropriated Priority: A Review Of Nigeria Military Brutality On Civilians

Investigation Of Misappropriated Priority: A Review Of Nigeria Military Brutality On Civilians

Chapiter 1

Introduction

1.1 The Study’s Background

Military brutality is when law enforcement uses excessive amounts of force without justification. It violates civil rights and represents a particularly severe instance of military misconduct or brutality. Additionally, it describes a scenario in which a person is subjected to excessive or unauthorized force by military personnel. Military brutality can take many different forms, such as physical or verbal abuse, physical or mental harm, property destruction, military commanders’ inaction, and in certain circumstances, death.

Notably, the military, which is usually referred to as the “armed forces” as a whole, is an extremely well-equipped and structured force that is primarily designed for combat. Its members are often recognized by its distinctive military uniforms, and it is typically formally sanctioned and upheld by a sovereign state. The military’s role is to protect the country from external aggression, preserve its territorial integrity, deter crimes committed on land, at sea, or in the air, suppress insurgencies, and assist civil authorities in restoring order when necessary (FRNC amended 1999).

However, there have been more documented instances recently of the military misusing its priority away from its stated objective. This can be shown in instances of violence, torture, rape, and genocide against the populace they are supposed to defend. The act of misappropriating a priority is defined as misusing or mismanaging something you have been assigned to handle while ignoring what appears to be urgent. The military, whose sole responsibility it is to combat insurrection, banditry, and kidnapping, has abandoned its position and is now engaged in combat with unarmed civilians.

They have gone too far, becoming a weapon in the hands of political syndicates to battle those who stand in their path of gaining political power and a tool to impose leadership on the population against their will.As it is ironic to the primary reason security agencies are founded, the military’s misplaced prioritization has resulted in violations of citizens’ human rights. In light of the foregoing, the following research is planned: Investigation of Misappropriated Priority: Nigeria Examined military violence against civilians

Situation Of The Problem

It is impossible to overstate the importance of a country’s security services as an essential component of society that must be used to protect people and property.Lawfully mandated duties of these security agencies include, among others, maintaining law and order, tracking down criminal activity inside Nigeria, maintaining internal security, and safeguarding all non-military classified information related to internal security in Nigeria.The State Security Services (SSS), also known as the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Prisons Service, the Nigerian Customs Service, and the Nigerian Immigration Service are among Nigeria’s security agencies (NSA Act 2004).Because of this, it is paradoxical that those whose job it is to safeguard and protect do so by trampling on and violating the rights of the populace.

Despite the change from military to civilian administration in 1999, Nigeria has continued to see crackdowns, assaults, beatings, massacres, torture, rape, and murder, as well as wrongful arrests and abusive military raids against unarmed residents. I

The military, which was founded to stop terrorist acts, kidnappings, and insurgencies, has turned away from the basic reason for its establishment and decided to assault and brutally treat the defenseless citizens whom they are supposed to protect.

This misplaced emphasis on military brutality toward civilians is a blatant example of a breach of human rights and is harmful to the individuals who are the targets of this animosity.Denying people their core moral rights is the same as violating the most basic human rights. It implies treating people as though they are less than human and unworthy of respect and dignity. Acts that are commonly considered crimes against humanity, including as genocide, torture, slavery, assault, murder, rape, and purposeful mistreatment, are examples of violations (Anyanwu E. 2021). Each year, there have been more instances of extrajudicial killings, cruelty, assault, illegal killings, and forced disappearances of civilians orchestrated by the military. Most crimes are investigated but never punished. In most cases, the victims’ relatives are powerless to seek justice or compensation. Many individuals never even learn the full details of what happened to their loved ones or other instances of military brutality against civilians, which is obviously given a lower priority. In light of the foregoing, this study will conduct a rigorous analysis of priority that has been misappropriated: A review of human rights abuses by the Nigerian military.

1.3 Study’s Objective

This study’s main objective is to conduct a critical analysis of a misplaced priority: a review of Nigerian military atrocities against civilians. It specifically looks for

1. To assess the frequency of military violence against civilians in Akwaibom State.

2. To investigate the various expressions and forms of military cruelty against defenseless civilians

3. To determine if military brutality breaches civilians’ human rights

4. To determine whether those hurt by military violence ever receive justice.

1.4 The Meaning Of The Study

The entire study will add to the body of general knowledge.For policymakers specifically, it will highlight the pressing necessity for Military Reforms to direct the military’s organization and actions. It will put more pressure on the government to keep an eye on military operations and ensure that they do not go beyond their authority or violate citizens’ human rights while performing their duties. It would order the Nigerian political syndicates and elites to stop utilizing the military as a means of spreading political misinformation and obtaining political influence. In order to defend the human rights of the average person, it will further motivate the judiciary, human rights activists, and international organizations to investigate alleged brutality and other inhumane/illegal actions that take place in the Nigerian military.

1.5 Definition Of The Study

The purpose of this study is to critically examine priorities that have been misappropriated. A review of human rights abuses by the Nigerian military. It will look at how frequently soldiers abuse civilians. It will look at the various manifestations and types of military violence against unarmed civilians. It will look at whether or not military brutality infringes the rights of the populace. It will look into whether or not military violence victims have ever received justice. However, the scope of this study is restricted to the Essien Udim Local Government in Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom State.

1.6 Research Problem

The study is guided by the following research question.

1. How frequently do soldiers in Akwaibom State abuse civilians?

2. In what ways does military aggression toward unarmed civilians express itself in Essien Udim LGA?

3. Do you believe that military brutality violates the rights of civilians?

4. Do you believe that victims of military violence ever receive assistance or justice?

5. Do you believe that military aggression toward civilians is an obvious indicator of priorities being misplaced?

1.7 Limitations Of The Research

The following considerations could impede this research’s ability to proceed.

Financial restraint: A researcher’s ability to collect data (through the internet, a questionnaire, and interviews) and locate relevant materials, literature, or information is often hindered by a lack of funding.

Time restraint: The researcher will do this investigation together with other academic activities at the same time. As a result, less time will be spent on the research project.

1.8 Term Definition

Misappropriation: Misappropriation is the misuse or abuse of anything that you have been entrusted with. It involves the inappropriate usage of something.

Priority: Priority is the quality of being more urgent or significant than other things. Something that can or deserves to be given priority.

Military: The military, usually referred to as the armed forces as a whole, is a well-equipped, well-organized force primarily designed for combat. Typically, a sovereign state is responsible for maintaining it, and its personnel can be recognized by their distinctive military uniform.

Brutality: Brutality is the act of being violent and cruel to another person.Violence is the use of physical force to harm, mistreat, harm, or destroy another person.

Human rights violations include unlawful and arbitrary treatment or killings of a person, which frequently take the form of torture by both government and non-state actors, forced disappearances by both groups, and protracted arbitrary detention in dangerous circumstances, particularly in government detention.