Expressing deep worries that efforts are not being sufficiently made by the hierarchy of the Nigeria Army to instil discipline and professionalism in the ranks and file and officers, the civil society group-Human Rights Writers Association Of Nigeria (HURIWA) – has described as unwarranted, barbaric, unconstitutional and deeply disturbing, the alleged killing of two young persons in Okere community of Warri, Delta State on Saturday.
HURIWA, citing available media information, recalled that no fewer than two persons were shot on Saturday at Okere Community in Warri Metropolis of Delta State even as it was gathered the victims were shot by security operatives believed to be soldiers of the 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army.
The Rights group quoted the media to have identified the victims of the extrajudicial execution by soldiers to include Macaulay Uku and another simply identified as Eguono. Uku, according to various sources, was shot early in the afternoon while Uku was shot later following a disagreement between the soldiers and youths.
The report stated that although the cause of the latest crisis in the Itsekiri enclave of Warri was still shrouded in controversy, sources said it was connected to the visit to the enclave of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III
“I don’t really know what happened but what we heard was that the Olu went to the shrine as part of his visit to Itsekiri communities.”
“One side said at the shrine he tried to dab olive oil but was resisted by youths of the community,” a local source said.
It was, however, not clear how soldiers were deployed to the community. Brigadier General Sanusi Aliyu, Brigade Commander 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Asaba, could not be reached for comment, says the media.
HURIWA which reacted to the incident is calling on the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja to activate transparent mechanisms to fish out the killer soldiers, prosecute them for murder before a court Marshall or a regular court so that it will be known that his leadership doesn’t tolerate extra legal killings of citizens who are supposed to be protected by the security forces maintained with taxpayers money.
HURIWA said also that: “The hierarchy of the Army led by the Chief of Army Staff should take much more than the routine approach towards confronting this latest report of soldiers involvement in unlawful killings of citizens. The circumstances that characterised this latest story of abysmal conduct of some unruly soldiers is such that one begins to ask whether those soldiers were actually taken through the rudimentary training that soldiers ought to have passed through before being handed guns. There is no justification for these killings of very young citizens. These killings are provocative and absolutely despicable. The killers must be made to face the full wrath of the law.”