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May 2002

Volume 14, Number 5 (A)

NIGERIA

THE BAKASSI BOYS:

The Legitimization of Murder and Torture

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II. RECOMMENDATIONS

To the Nigerian government

Investigation and prosecution

Prevention of further vigilante violence

To foreign governments and intergovernmental organizations

III. BACKGROUND

Vigilantism in Nigeria

The emergence of vigilante groups in the south-eastern states

The role of state governments

Attitudes of the general public and the media

IV. HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES BY THE BAKASSI BOYS

Three case studies

The killing of Prophet Eddie Okeke

The killing of Chief Ezeodumegwu G. Okonkwo

The arrest and torture of Ifeanyi Ibegbu

Patterns of human rights abuses and other individual cases

Summary executions

Arbitrary arrests and unlawful detention

Conditions of detention

Torture and ill-treatment

Targeting critics of the Bakassi Boys

Interventions in private disputes and civil matters

Increased political use of Bakassi Boys and other groups

V. IMPUNITY FOR VIGILANTE VIOLENCE AND THE RESPONSE OF THE POLICE

VI. THE RESPONSE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

VII. THE INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

VIII. CONCLUSION: The Brutalization of Society

IX. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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