The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said on Monday that extra-judicial killing could be acceptable only during armed conflicts other than circumstances permitted by law.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof Bem Angwesaid in Abuja that the law still regulated the conduct of combatants even during armed conflicts.
“We have been in the fore front to condemn incidence of extra-judicial killings. No matter what the incident is the law requires that the person who is in conflict with the laws should be arrested in accordance with the processes of law and are convicted.
“So, it is condemnable. The only instance where the law permits any person to be killed other than the circumstances permitted by law is where there is armed conflict but even in armed conflict situation there is a law that regulates the conduct of combatants.“
Angwe said the commission would investigate alleged cases of extra-judicial killing in the country.
“It is not permissible anywhere in the world and it is not permissible in Nigeria; the National Human Rights Commission frowns at it and will investigate any incidence of alleged extra-judicial killing and take a decision appropriately that will redress this.
“We went to make our presentation before the senate joint committee investigating the Apo killing.
“We’ll let the National Assembly know what the final outcome of our investigation is and we in clear terms told them that we are investigating the incidence in accordance with our powers.“
He called on the public to remain calm as the commission would make its report public as soon as facts were gat