By Rabiu Doma,Nasarawa
Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa state has set-up a nine (9) man judicial commission of inquiry into the recent skirmishes that claimed lives, along with destruction of patrol vehicles and missing weapons in Alakyo community in Lafia Local Government.
The state Governor while inaugurating the members condemned the brutal and unwholesome maiming of scores of Joint Task Force ranging from police, mobile police force, State Security Service and Men of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) by Ombatse militiamen on the 7/6/2013.
Al-Makura tasked the 9 man committee to ensured transparency and thorough investigation as well to ensured urgent implementation of the report – saying the lingering crisis has brought untold hardship to the people of the state. He added that the inauguration of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry will serve as leverage to sustainable peace in the state.
The Governor described the Eggon militia cult as a hydra headed monster. He said the terms of reference of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry who’s assignment will elapse in six weeks includes –
–
1.To inquire into the remote and immediate cause(s) of the killings of over fifty
Nigeria Security Personnel on the 7th of May, 2013 and the extent of
the involvement of the outlawed ‘Ombatse Militia Group’ or any other group
whatsoever in the said mayhem;
2.To inquire into how
and why, despite its proscription vide Nasarawa State Legal Notice No.4 of
2012, Vol.15, the outlawed Ombatse Militia continues its activities unabated
and continues to cause a breach of the peace in Nasarawa State;
3. To inquire into how
and where the outlawed Ombatse militia was formed or evolved, its founders,
promoters, sponsors, financiers, members, aiders and abettors and examine their
role(s) in the killings of the said Nigeria Security Operatives on or about the
7th May, 2013 and recommend, provide and exert appropriate
punishment for those found culpable within the provision of the penal code as
applicable in Nasarawa State;
4.To inquire into the
modus operandi of the said outlawed Ombatse Militia and how it
acquired/acquires its finances, arms, ammunitions, charms and weapons of attack
and destruction including how they are stored and distributed and identify
persons or groups, supporters and or collaborators and recommend, provide and
exert appropriate punishment for those found culpable within the provision of
the penal code as applicable in Nasarawa State and other extant status
regulating arms and ammunitions;
5. To
identify the number of people, including Nigeria Security Personnel who lost
their lives and who sustained varying degrees of injuries, the extent of
properties destroyed and damaged, as well as the economic loss in the killings
> of Nigeria Security Personnel on or about the 7th of May, 2013 and
> other areas of the State and the perpetrators or culprits with a view to
> recommending, providing and or exerting appropriate penal sanctions in
> accordance with the penal code as applicable in Nasarawa State and other extant
> penal statutes, etc;
6. To identify the
> persons, groups, community or communities, associations or organizations recently
> or indirectly whether as leaders, sponsors, financiers, members, aiders, foot
> soldiers, errand boys, spies, collaborators or backers, etc in the massive and
> unwarranted killings of individuals and large scale destruction of lives and
> properties at Alakyo, Ba rkin Abdullahi and Kwandere in Lafia LGA, Iggah in
> Nassarawa Eggon LGA, Burum-Burum in Doma LGA, Yelwa-Bassa in Kokona LGA of
> Nasarawa State respectively and recommend, provide and exert appropriate penal
> sanctions in accordance with relevant penal statutes;
7. To examine and
> proffer suggestions/advice on the ways, means and methodology through which
> Government can deal with, curb and completely wipe out the activities of this
> outlawed militia or any other militia or illegal or anti-social group or groups
> in the State; and
> Justice Joseph Gbadeyan serves as the chairman,
> Barrister Muntassir Mohammed ,Ibrahim Bakut and Brigadier General Owobiye Dickson
> as members, others are professor Femi Adekunle,Hajiya Zainab Gogo Bayero,Asabe Baba
> Nahaya,(NAWOJ president) ,representative
> of Human Right Commission and Hamisu Ali Jos,(AIG retired) as members.
–
The chairman in his speech assured the state Governor of transparent assignment – adding that the commission will be guided by the principle of equity, fairness and Justice.
> He also stated that the commission will ensure confidentiality, mobility and maintenance, Diligence and promptness in the discharge of their duty.
> Justice Joseph said the commission will ensured the establishment of relevant fact. Adding that as the anchorman of the commission he will stand in accordance to the terms of reference of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
