Prosecute soldiers who killed my brother in Edo – Man tells Army
Luke Afoso, elder brother of the 29-year-old Oyegwu Anasala Afoso, allegedly shot dead by Nigerian Army personnel in the wake of a protest embarked upon by youths in the Afokpella community in the Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, has called for the prosecution of the soldiers involved.
Luke, who spoke to newsmen on Thursday, said they’re seeking justice, though the matter is beyond them.
“This matter is beyond us. But It’s my wish for the soldiers involved in my brother’s killing to be charged to court and prosecuted but I don’t think we will get it because of the corrupt Nigeria system, and nobody is standing for us,” he said.
Recall that Nigerian Army personnel allegedly killed three youths who protested to express their grievances against extortion and underemployment by the two cement factories operating in the community, BUA Cement Company and Dangote Cement.
Luke, who narrated what transpired, said they got a police permit before the protest.
“A month before the protest, we got a police approval, we served the Commissioner of Police, The Divisional Police Commander, we also served a particular Army commander in the community before giving the go-ahead with our protest,” he said.
“It was after we got approval that we embarked on the protest. My brother was not even around that day. Before we realised what was happening, some youths sponsored by BUA and Dangote started attacking us. As if that was not enough, the military came with Armour tanks and started shooting at everybody.”
Luke alleged that the Chiefs and members of the Community Development Association, CDA, in the community, sent the soldiers.
He said the soldiers also prevented them from taking his brother to the hospital before he gave up the ghost after losing so much blood.
He lamented that nobody from the Army had reached out to his family, adding that some youths who had gone to get a police report for another person shot by the soldiers were threatened with being detained by the Army.
