An Appraisal of the Interface between Human Rights and National Security in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper appraises the interface between human rights and national security, both of which are
interconnected, as the interest of one affects the other. The paper notes that human rights are God-given
and, thus, inalienable. To the extent that they are recognised by, and enshrined in the Constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, they are fundamental and a breach thereof entitles an
aggrieved person to institute an action in a court of law for redress. But the Courts have held that where
national security and the rule of law mix, the individual right of a citizen must give way to national security.
This paper analyses the key terms of the topic, undertakes a historical development of human rights, x-rays
the fate of human rights viz-a-viz the security challenges in Nigeria, draws conclusions and makes
recommendations. The paper employs the doctrinal research methodology.