The basic human right of citizens in a state are

Analyze the question: It asks for the basic (fundamental) human rights of citizens in a state. These are the core rights that every person has simply by being human, and all other rights build on them.

Explain the concept: Basic or natural human rights come from the natural rights theory of John Locke. Locke argued that every person is born with three natural rights:

1. Life: the right to live and not be killed arbitrarily
2. Liberty: the right to freedom, including freedom from unlawful detention
3. Property: the right to own and protect what one has legitimately acquired

In Nigeria, Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution protects these fundamental rights. They include the right to life (Section 33), personal liberty (Section 35), and the right to own property (Section 43 and Section 44).

Evaluate the options:

• A. Freedom of movement, free education and free health: Free education and free health are social and economic benefits that the government provides. They are not basic rights. ✗
• B. Free social services, speech and religion: "Free social services" is a government welfare provision, not a basic right. ✗
• C. Right to life, liberty and property: These match the classic natural rights. ✓
• D. Right to higher education, property and freedom of thought: Higher education is a privilege or social provision, not a basic right. ✗

Answer: The correct option is C.

Exam tip: Remember Locke's trio as "LLP": Life, Liberty, Property. If an option contains "free" services such as free education or free health, it is usually describing government welfare, not a basic human right.