A frontline civil society organization, the Policy Legislative Advocacy Centre (PLAC) has issued a citizen call to action of the rising spate of killings by security forces. In the call issued in Abuja on Monday, PLAC lamented what it described as rising spate of killing of citizens by security agents. The group said the deteriorating situation is raising serious concern over the violation of the fundamental rights of individuals to life, liberty, fair hearing and dignity of the human person guaranteed in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.
PLAC made reference to a recent fundamental rights suit instituted by leaders of Okuama community against the Federal Government and the military. In the court action, PLAC quoted that the community alleged that military personnel burnt 413 buildings and killed 11 persons in the community between 14th and 25th March 2024, following the killing of 17 soldiers in the community on 14th March 2024.
The civic group also bemoaned the situation involving a soldier celebrating his birthday at a recreational centre, who fired a gunshot that killed a man in Marish community in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State on 22nd April 2024.
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It said: “According to the Bokkos Cultural Development Council Vanguard, the soldier tried to conceal the crime by labelling the victim and those who tried to help him as militants, leading to mass arrests of residents of the community.
“On 17th April 2024, a Police Corporal shot a businessman dead in Aba, Abia State for refusing to give him a bribe. Also, on 12th April 2024, personnel of the Nigerian Army tortured a manager and other staff of a hotel in Umuahia, Abia State over the drowning of an Air Force cadet in the hotel’s swimming pool. The torture resulted in the death of the hotel manager.
“On 11th April 2024, it was reported that a Private in the Nigerian Army murdered a woman said to be his girlfriend, in the Nigerian Army’s 82 Division Barracks in Enugu State.”
PLAC similarly noted that reports have emerged that troops of the Nigerian Army invaded Olota community in Delta State on 11th April and took away at least 10 persons and razed some buildings.
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“The troops had previously visited the community and some others in Delta State in search of suspects and arms taken from the soldiers killed in Okuama community in March 2024. The Nigerian Army however, described the incident as an operation to eradicate illegal weapons in the South-South region.
“Although the leadership of the Nigeria Police and Nigerian Army have responded to these incidents by stating that investigations have commenced, it is pertinent to ensure that justice is served.” PLAC there for implored citizens to make their voices heard by writing to the National Assembly Committees on Human Rights in the Senate and House of Representatives to ensure that each of the incidents are thoroughly investigated and brought to a reasonable conclusion.
