In a heartbreaking and distressing incident, the Kogi Central Persons with Disabilities Association is urgently calling for justice for Hamza Waziri, a physically challenged individual who was brutally assaulted by the Nigerian police during a peaceful hunger protest in Bauchi State. The protest, which sought to address issues of bad governance, turned violent when law enforcement officers resorted to excessive force against Waziri, highlighting a disturbing trend of violence against vulnerable members of society, particularly those with disabilities.
Hamza Waziri, who relies on a wheelchair for mobility, was exercising his constitutional right to protest when he was attacked. The peaceful demonstration aimed to draw attention to the dire need for governance reform in Bauchi State. Instead of protecting the protesters and ensuring their safety, the police officers on duty violently attacked Waziri, demonstrating a blatant disregard for human rights and the rule of law.
Comr. Yakubu Nazir Abdulhakeem, the president of the Kogi Central Persons with Disabilities Association, has vocally condemned the actions of the police officers involved. He has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident, emphasizing that those responsible for this egregious act must be held accountable. Abdulhakeem’s call for justice resonates deeply within the disabled community, which has long faced discrimination and violence.
“This brutal attack on Hamza Waziri is not just an assault on one individual; it is an attack on the entire disabled community. We demand justice for Hamza and accountability for the officers involved. This kind of brutality cannot be tolerated in a society that claims to uphold the rights and dignity of all its citizens,” Abdulhakeem stated.
The Kogi Central Persons with Disabilities Association is calling on security agencies and the Bauchi State government to reveal the identities of the police officers responsible for the attack. Transparency in this matter is crucial for restoring public trust in law enforcement and demonstrating a commitment to justice and human rights.
In addition to seeking accountability, the Association is urging national and international organizations to lend their support. They are calling on the National Disability Commission, the Initiative for the Liberation of Physically Challenged People in Nigeria, the Bauchi State Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria (ALDIN), and other NGOs focused on disability rights to join in their demand for justice.
Hamza Waziri, a man who has done nothing wrong but express his views peacefully, has now become a symbol of the struggle for the rights of persons with disabilities in Nigeria. His case underscores the need for stronger protections and more rigorous enforcement of laws designed to safeguard the rights and dignity of disabled individuals.
The brutality inflicted upon Hamza Waziri serves as a stark reminder of the systemic issues that persons with disabilities face in Nigeria. Discrimination, violence, and neglect are all too common, and incidents like this highlight the urgent need for comprehensive reform. The disabled community is calling for not just justice for Hamza Waziri, but for systemic changes that ensure such injustices do not continue.
“It could be any one of us tomorrow,” Abdulhakeem warned. “If we do not take collective action now, we risk allowing such egregious acts of violence to go unchecked. We must stand together and demand that the law is upheld and that the rights of persons with disabilities are respected.”
The call to action is clear: justice for Hamza Waziri is not just about one man’s fight. It is about the fight for dignity, respect, and equality for all persons with disabilities in Nigeria. It is a fight against the systemic injustices that have plagued the disabled community for far too long.
As the Kogi Central Persons with Disabilities Association continues to rally support, it is imperative that all stakeholders—government agencies, human rights organizations, and civil society—respond to this call for justice. The eyes of the nation are on Bauchi State, and the response to this incident will serve as a litmus test for Nigeria’s commitment to human rights and justice for all its citizens, regardless of their physical abilities.
The time for action is now. Justice for Hamza Waziri means justice for all, and it is a fight that must be won.
