Commission demands justice for victim of police assault

The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities has demanded an investigation into an allegation of assault to a man with disability in Bauchi State by policemen.

The commission, in a statement issued to journalists by its Executive Secretary, James Lalu, on Friday, condemned the alleged assault on Hamza Waziri.

The statement read, “This reprehensible act, captured in a video currently circulating on social media, shows Mr Waziri being brutally battered while exercising his constitutional right to peaceful protest in front of the Bauchi State Government House.

“Hamza Waziri is not only a person with a disability but also a respected member of the CODE Board of Trustees, a Mandela Washington Fellow, a Chevening Fellow, and the founder of the Initiative for the Liberalization of Physically Challenged People in Nigeria.”

The secretary maintained that “Hamza’s tireless work as an inclusion advocate has made significant strides in promoting the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.

“The actions of the police officers involved are a clear violation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018 and the fundamental human rights enshrined in our constitution.

“The NCPWD calls on the Nigeria Police Force to set a high standard for upholding these laws and to lead by example in the enforcement of anti-discrimination policies.”

The commission demanded a thorough investigation into the incident and immediate disciplinary action against those responsible and challenged the Force to demonstrate its commitment to protecting the rights of all citizens, including those with disabilities.

“While it is our view that the protest is needless because seeds, when sowed, take time to germinate, and thus President Bola Tinubu’s administration deserves the support of all citizens, we however, stand in solidarity with Hamza Waziri and all individuals with disabilities who continue to face discrimination and violence.

“We will not relent in our efforts to ensure a just and inclusive society where every individual, regardless of their physical abilities, is treated with respect and dignity”, the statement emphasised.

The commission also urged all relevant authorities to take swift action to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future and to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are upheld and protected at all times.