Public anger is growing after reports that policemen accused of killing seven Lagos traders in Nasarawa State were released without facing trial. Families of the victims, civil society groups, and many Nigerians have described the move as a “cover-up” and a blow to justice.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The case dates back several months when seven traders from Lagos reportedly traveled to Nasarawa to buy goods. According to eyewitnesses, they were stopped at a police checkpoint. Hours later, the traders were found dead. Their families alleged that police officers were responsible.

The incident sparked protests in both Lagos and Nasarawa, with traders’ associations demanding a full investigation. At first, the police announced that the officers involved had been arrested and that justice would be served. But this week, news broke that the policemen were freed. No official explanation was given for their release.

The development has left many asking if powerful interests are protecting the suspects. “We were told they would face the law, but now they are walking free,” said a spokesman for the victims’ families. “This is injustice. Our brothers were killed for nothing.”

Civil rights groups, including the Committee for Justice and Accountability, have also condemned the decision. They warned that letting the case go unpunished could encourage more abuses by security forces. “This is not only about these seven traders,” said one activist. “It is about every Nigerian who has been a victim of police brutality. If there is no accountability, it will continue.”

Police authorities in Nasarawa and Abuja have remained largely silent. The state police command said only that “investigations are ongoing.” But critics argue that releasing the officers before completing investigations undermines trust in the system.

Nigeria has faced repeated accusations of police misconduct, ranging from extortion to extrajudicial killings. The #EndSARS protests in 2020 highlighted widespread anger at police abuses, but activists say not much has changed since then. Many Nigerians fear that this latest case shows that security forces still act with impunity.

In Lagos, the traders’ union has vowed not to let the matter rest. Leaders say they are preparing to file a petition to the National Assembly and international human rights groups. “We want the world to know what happened,” said one market leader. “We will not keep quiet until justice is done.”

Legal experts say the families may also seek redress in court. Human rights lawyers argue that the constitution guarantees the right to life, and any state officer found guilty of violating that right must be held accountable. “The rule of law must apply to everyone, including the police,” said a lawyer following the case.

As pressure mounts, many Nigerians are calling on President Bola Tinubu’s government to step in. They say the federal government must show that the lives of ordinary citizens matter and that no one is above the law. “This government promised justice and reform,” said a Lagos resident. “Now is the time to prove it.”

For the victims’ families, the pain remains fresh. Most of the slain traders were young men in their 30s and 40s, leaving behind wives, children, and dependents. Their relatives say they were breadwinners who traveled to Nasarawa only to provide for their families. “They went to do business and never came back,” said one grieving widow. “How can we move on without justice?”

The case is now seen as a test of Nigeria’s justice system. If nothing is done, many fear it will deepen public distrust in the police and the courts. For now, the victims’ families continue to demand one thing: accountability.