The killing of a pregnant woman in Abraka, Delta State, once again highlights the troubling pattern of reckless conduct by security operatives in Nigeria.
Development Diaries reports that an unidentified pregnant woman was killed by a stray bullet on Saturday evening during a hot chase of suspected internet fraudsters, popularly known as yahoo boys, by soldiers.
According to media reports, the soldiers were attached to Operation Delta Sweep in the Abraka community, Ethiope-East local government area of Delta State.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has rightly described the incident as ‘very unfortunate’.
The recurring loss of civilian lives during security operations raises questions about the level of training, discipline, and accountability within the forces.
Sadly, this is not an isolated event. Data from SBM Intelligence (2023) shows that security operatives were implicated in at least 500 civilian deaths between 2019 and 2022, revealing systemic lapses in operational standards.
The main problem here is the role of security agencies, especially the Nigerian Army, which has been used in situations that are not in its constitutional duty.
According to Section 217 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the military’s primary duties are defending Nigeria from external aggression, maintaining territorial integrity, and suppressing insurrection.
Nowhere does the law empower soldiers to chase suspected internet fraudsters (‘yahoo boys’) or engage in regular policing functions.
Such actions fall outside their constitutional remit and also expose civilians to unnecessary risks, as military operatives are not trained for routine law enforcement in civilian environments.
Additionally, the careless use of live fire during routine operations is against international best practices for the use of force.
The United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials (1990) state clearly that firearms should only be used in self-defence or defence of others against imminent threat of death or serious injury.
The tragic case in Abraka suggests the exact opposite, with security operatives escalating a pursuit in a civilian setting without due regard for proportionality or the sanctity of human life.
Such disregard for protocol erodes public trust in the institutions meant to provide safety and protection.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s promise of justice is commendable, but Nigerians have often heard such assurances without concrete accountability following.
Development Diaries calls on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to move beyond words of condolence and ensure that the killing in Abraka is met with full accountability by demanding a transparent investigation, prosecuting any officers found guilty, and compensating the victim’s family.
We also call on security agencies in Delta State, particularly the police and army units operating in civilian spaces, to retrain their personnel to strictly follow operational rules of engagement and desist from unlawful pursuits such as chasing ‘yahoo boys’ outside the police’s jurisdiction.
Photo source: Delta State Government
