Rights lawyer warns of ‘another EndSARS,’ alleges unlawful detentions persist in police IRT unit

Mike Kebonkwu, a human rights lawyer, has decried the growing trend of unlawful arrests and detentions by security agencies, citing the intelligence response team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Kebonkwu accused the IRT of operating like a “Gestapo unit”, detaining Nigerians without trial, and violating constitutional provisions.

“Law enforcement agencies have a constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property, but this must be done within the law and with respect for fundamental human rights,” the human rights lawyer said.

He said the IRT had become notorious for transporting citizens from various parts of the country to Abuja, where they are kept under inhumane conditions without formal charges.

“The IRT has metamorphosed into the disbanded special anti-robbery squad (SARS), operating without supervision or control,” he said.

Kebonkwu said the arrests and detentions are often not based on intelligence but on personal scores or fictitious petitions.

Citing a case, the lawyer said one Buba Mohammed was arrested on March 17 in Girim, a village in Busari LGA of Yobe state, and taken to the IRT facility in Guzape, Abuja.

He said Mohammed has been detained without charge and denied bail, with officers allegedly insisting he would only be released when his elder brother is arrested.

“This is the plight of many Nigerians in custody, particularly at the IRT,” he said.

Kebonkwu said such actions amount to a clear violation of section 35 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to personal liberty and mandates that suspects be brought before a court within 24 to 48 hours.

“Youths are arrested simply because of how they dress. Journalists and critics of government are held for weeks and even months without court orders or formal charges,” he said.

He added that detainees are routinely denied medical care and access to lawyers, while some lawyers are harassed when attempting to represent their clients.

“Detainees are tortured physically and psychologically, extorted, and forced to confess to crimes they did not commit,” he said.

He warned that the growing impunity of law enforcement agencies could trigger nationwide protests similar to the #EndSARS demonstrations.

“If the authorities do not intervene – and quickly too – it could lead to discontent and spontaneous demonstrations,” he said.

Kebonkwu asked the federal government to be proactive in addressing the development and stop pretending to be unaware of the situation.

“Changing SARS to IRT is cosmetic and has not stopped the notorious practices,” he said.

He urged the government to investigate all allegations of unlawful detention and prosecute officers found guilty and also called for an independent review mechanism to monitor police activities and a full audit of the IRT.

“We recognise the role of law enforcement agencies, but their duties must be carried out in accordance with the law and due process,” he said.