Military Accidental Air Strike Must Be Probed, Amnesty International Tells FG
Amnesty International on Saturday, appealed to the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency set up a panel to investigate a military airstrike that accidentally killed nine people in Yobe State.
Recall a few weeks ago, a Nigerian Air Force jet said to have been targeting the Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP) terrorist group, accidentally hit Buwari and other communities in Yunusari LGA of the state.
However, in a statement on Saturday, Mallam Isa Sanusi, the media manager of Amnesty International in Nigeria, appealed to the federal government to set up a panel to investigate the incident.
He further called on Nigerian authorities to conduct an independent and impartial investigation into the recent military airstrikes that killed at least 9 people and injured 20 people on 15th September, when Nigerian Air Force fighter jets targeted several villages in Yobe state, including Buwari, Bulabulin, Matari, Malari and Kajinjiri.
"Similarly, on 26 August, a wooden passenger boat ferrying passengers and their goods from Port Harcourt to Bonny in Rivers State was targeted by a military helicopter, injuring several passengers.
"Amnesty International is calling for full reparations for the relatives of those killed in the strikes, as well as a remedy for other victims in previous military airstrikes – including compensation, restitution and rehabilitation." He said.
"The Nigerian military must abide by international law in future military operations and protect the lives of civilians.
He further added that "anyone suspected of criminal responsibility should be prosecuted in a fair trial. Survivors and families of the victims should be kept informed of the progress of the investigation and be given full reparation.
He expressed worry that previous incidents in the North East of Nigeria and Niger Delta region were met with deafening silence and outright denial by the military while devastated families suffer in silence.
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The Nigeria Union of Journalists has condemned security agents over attacks on journalists and activists during the trial of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, on Wednesday.
In a statement by Emmanuel Ogbeche and Ochiaka Ugwu, chairman and secretary respectively, the group described the attack as reprehensible and posing a grave danger to the safety of journalists and democracy.
The union berated security operatives for failure to act in the face of violence and aggression against journalists.
Recall that pro-government thugs attacked human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, and other IPOB supporters at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.
The NUJ said several journalists were injured during Wednesday's attack while several equipment including cameras were destroyed.
The statement reads, "We at the NUJ FCT Council find it objectionable, reprehensible and a great disservice that suspected hoodlums will attack journalists and activists who were on their legitimate endeavours at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
"It is even more saddening that during the unwarranted attack on journalists and activists by these dangerous, armed welding elements, officers and men of various security agencies watched idly and did not stop the violence and arrest the perpetrators."
The union further stated that the continued sanctioning of violence against journalists in the country posed a grave danger to democracy as it constricts the civic space and is an attempt to silence credible voices and media on issues of human rights, good governance and the rule of law.
The union charged security agencies to prove that the disgraceful conduct was not state sponsored by ensuring that "the cameras of Reuters News Agency that was stolen by hoodlums was retrieved, while all elements that are linked to the orgy of violence are found, arrested and prosecuted".
The statement also noted that if there was unfettered access by journalists to the court, the incident would have been avoided.
House Markings Resume In Magodo Phase 2 Even As Reps Probe Malami, IGP Over Police Deployment
Unease returned to Magodo as notice of possession markings on houses were resumed Thursday by the Chief Adeyiga Family and their agents.
This is coming just a day after the House of Representatives mandated its Committees on Justice, Public Petition and Police to investigate the involvement of the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubarkar Malami, SAN and the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali on their alleged involvement in the police invasion of Magodo estate in Lagos State.
The Committees were asked to ascertain the alleged attempt to destabilize the peace of Lagos State and scuttle the ongoing settlement process and enforce illegality.
They will also recommend appropriate sanctions for any police officer, persons or parties found culpable in the illegal enforcement and breakdown of law and order.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved at the plenary by Hons. Ademorin Kuye and Rotimi Agusoye at Wednesday plenary.
In his lead debate, Kuye observed that residents of Magodo GRA Phase 2 in Shangisha, Lagos woke up on the morning of December 5, 2020 to the sight of hundreds of arm wedging thugs, stern-looking and fully armed policemen and members of the Shangisha Landlords Association purportedly to execute a judgment.
"The House is aware that the judgment that was supposedly being enforced was delivered in 2012 by the Supreme Court in Military Governors of Lagos State & Ors Vs Adebayo Adeyiga & Ors in Appeal No SC/112/2002 wherein the Apex Court affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal and the High Court delivered on December 31, 1993 in suit marked: ID/795/88.
"The House is worried that the execution being presently executed through the office of the AGF with the connivance of the IGP is illegal as only the Lagos State Deputy Sheriff can execute same and not thugs aided by Policemen.
"The declaratory judgment of the Supreme Court only recognized the Judgment Creditors as being entitled to the allocation and reallocation of 549 plots of land in Shangisha Village, not possession of any land.
"Several attempts have been made by the Lagos State Government from 2012-2015, to settle the matter amicably making different engagements with the Judgment Creditors presenting a proposal for reallocation in the Magotho Residential Scheme within the Badagry area of the state which some of them accepted.
"The Lagos State Government again in 2016 initiated a settlement to reallocate Ibeju Lekki Coastal Scheme located in the Ibeju Lekki Area but this was rejected by the lead plaintiff Chief Adebayo Adeyiga, as government continue to dialogue with majority of the Judgment Creditors to reach a concession towards implementing the judgment
"Despite the ongoing settlement efforts and the pendency of an interlocutory injunction dated Dec 1st 2020 before the Court of Appeal seeking an order restraining him and his agents, Chief Adeyiga purportedly encouraged by the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police stormed the estate with unknown bailiffs and armed security operatives to execute a judgment that was purportedly delivered by Lagos High Court.
"The execution being presently executed through the office of the AGF with the connivance of the IGP is illegal as only the Lagos state Deputy Sheriff can execute same and not thugs aided by Police men.
"The highhandedness and reckless show of force on the 5th of December, 2021 and the 4th day of January 2022 in Magodo by Chief Adeyiga and his cohorts in blatant disregard to Order 8 Rule 17 of the Supreme Court Rules 2014 and Section 37 of the Enforcement of Judgment and Order Part III of the Sherriff and Civil Process Act, LFN 2004 can lead to loss of lives and properties and ultimately breakdown of law and order.
"The Attorney General of the Federation is destabilizing Lagos State by using is office to back this illegality as a meddlesome interloper and the instrumentality of state – the Nigerian Police Force and their illegal Court Bailiffs, to scuttle ongoing settlement between the Lagos State Government, Magodo GRA 2 Residents and the Judgement Creditors", he said.
The motion was supported by the the majority of the members when put to voice vote by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila and was eventually adopted.
Meanwhile, There is no official explanation for the resumption of markings of houses in Magodo houses on Thursday even when they had agreed to work with the Logos state government committee on the issue to jointly find vacant lands in Magodo 2 and other parts of Lagos for reallocation.
Lagos-Ibadan Expressway: Gani Adams Condemns Incessant Attacks On Travellers By Bandits
…Says Police, DSS Shun Joint Patrol Iniitiative
Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has said the police foiled an initiative aimed at securing the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
He noted that collaboration with the regional body, Southwest Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG), would have reduced terrible incidences.
In a statement on Thursday, Adams condemned incessant attacks on travellers by bandits and robbers operating on the ever-busy road.
Gani Adams Condemns Incessant Attacks On Travellers By Bandits
The Yoruba leader disclosed that in September 2021, the SSSG wrote to the police and DSS for joint patrol.
"The reason for the request is to use our strength and network to secure the Lagos-Ibadan expressway which has remained porous.
"The idea came up after a series of meetings with leaders and members of the Southwest Security Stakeholders Group.
"The letter dated September 22, 2021, was addressed to Security Advisers, Commissioners of Police, Directors of State Security Services (DSS), and other agencies in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo."
Adams said the offer was to be done in good faith to force down the rate of kidnappings and killings and nip other challenges in the bud.
He said being the Aare, many people have requested his mediation, reminding the government that its operatives alone cannot secure lives and property.
"It's time to tell the world of our efforts in securing the region. The road has become volatile for travellers, there is a need for urgent intervention.
"The SSSG, with about 10 security groups, have the strength to support the police in making sure that the spate of insecurity is curbed."
The organization comprises Oodua People's Congress (OPC), Agbekoya, Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Agbekoya Peace Movement.
Others are Vigilante Yahun, Professional Hunters of Nigeria, Agbekoya Farmers Society, Hunters Association of Nigeria, Isokan Oodua and COMSAIC.