Public anger is mounting in Kogi State following the alleged killing of a final-year student, Andrew Amehson Aziko, by security guards at Nana College of Health in Okpo, Olamaboro Local Government Area, in an incident that has sparked concerns over extrajudicial violence and accountability failures.
The incident, which was captured in widely circulated video footage, has drawn scrutiny from legal experts and human rights advocates, many of whom argue that the circumstances suggest a possible unlawful killing. Calls have intensified for an independent investigation by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
In the footage, the victim—reportedly unarmed—is seen being beaten with batons before being shot at close range. He is heard pleading in Igala and calling some of the guards by name, indicating familiarity. Community sources disclosed that the deceased had been receiving treatment for mental health challenges and had reportedly wandered into the school premises after leaving a rehabilitation facility.
Legal analysts note that the right to life is guaranteed under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which permits the use of lethal force only under strictly defined conditions such as self-defence or preventing escape from lawful detention. Observers argue that the situation depicted in the video appears inconsistent with these legal thresholds.
“Even where wrongdoing is suspected, the use of force must be necessary and proportionate,” said Abuja-based human rights lawyer Sadiq Bello. “The available evidence raises serious concerns of unlawful killing.”
Although the suspects are said to be private security personnel rather than police officers, experts maintain that liability may still arise under the Criminal Code Act, which criminalises homicide, assault and excessive use of force. Private guards, they stress, are not authorised to administer punishment but are limited to restraining suspects and handing them over to law enforcement authorities.
The case has also reignited debate over the regulation of private security personnel, particularly in rural communities where formal policing structures are often limited. Rights groups are urging the NHRC to initiate a transparent, independent probe to ensure credibility and public confidence in the process.
A senior official familiar with the Commission’s procedures said its intervention would help preserve evidence and prevent interference. “This is precisely the kind of case that requires independent oversight,” the official noted.
The incident is reportedly the second of its kind in Olamaboro within two months. In an earlier case, a young man allegedly died after being beaten by a vigilante group, an घटना that triggered protests and arrests following clashes with security personnel.
Residents say the recurrence of such incidents is heightening fear and eroding trust in local security systems. Many also point to apparent lapses in standard procedures, including the failure to use minimal force, provide medical assistance, or secure the scene for proper investigation.
The victim’s reported mental health condition has further deepened concern, with advocates stressing the need for de-escalation and medical intervention in such situations. A Lokoja-based mental health advocate described the incident as “both a legal and humanitarian failure.”
Amid reports of planned protests, Olamaboro Local Government Chairman, Williams Ameh, has appealed for calm, urging residents to allow due process. However, skepticism persists among locals who cite past cases where justice was perceived as slow or opaque.
As of press time, the Kogi State Police Command had not issued an official statement or confirmed any arrests, further fuelling public concern.
Stakeholders are calling for the immediate suspension of the implicated guards, preservation of the crime scene, and a thorough, transparent investigation with independent oversight. For many residents, the case has become a critical test of the rule of law and the enforcement of accountability.
