Lawyers Alert Condemns Reported Assault of Women In Ebonyi State, Demands Accountability from NSCDC and Government Authorities

Abuja, Nigeria - 22nd October 2026.

Lawyers Alert strongly condemns the reported physical assault of women suspected of engaging in sex work by an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other public officials during an enforcement operation in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, as reported by Sahara Reporters. The footage showing women being physically assaulted raises serious concerns about the violations of the rights of citizens by a public authority which ought to protect the people.

Lawyers Alert recognises the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to maintain public order and investigate suspected criminal activities. However, these responsibilities must be discharged within the confines of the law. Allegations of wrongdoing must be addressed through lawful investigation and due process, never through physical violence, intimidation, or any other form of degrading treatment.

Section 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 guarantees the right to dignity of the human person and prohibits all forms of torture and inhuman or degrading treatments. These protections apply to everyone, irrespective of occupation, social status, or public perception.

The reported incident in Ebonyi State reinforces the urgent need to confront stigma-driven enforcement and ensure that public officials are held to the same laws they are mandated to enforce.

Lawyers Alert calls on the Ebonyi State Government and the NSCDC leadership to immediately initiate an independent and transparent investigation into this incident. It is critical to preserve available evidence and ensure strict accountability for any officer found culpable. All affected women must be given access to medical care, legal assistance, and effective remedies without intimidation or retaliation.

We further call on the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to as a matter of urgency intervene in these violations and establish the facts, towards ensuring that the rights of the affected women are not further violated and justice is pursued without allowing whatever stigma associated with sex work to diminish the seriousness of these alleged violations.

Lawyers Alert remains committed to challenging human rights violations and demanding accountability from institutions entrusted with protecting the public. We insist that no woman should ever become a legitimate target of violence because she is suspected of engaging in sex work.

Signed,

Confidence Ezeala, Esq.

Senior Programs Officer,

Lawyers Alert.