A human rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana (SAN) on Wednesday asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris to within seven days provide the certified true copies of the reports of investigation into the large-scale killings involving over 9,457 persons, which took place in several states of the federation from 2011 to date.
Falana listed extra-judicial killings that have taken place in the country to include: the abduction and killing of 60 security officers in 2013 by a cult group in Nasarawa State; killing of over 2, 000 people in Benue State by herdsmen, militia groups and other armed gangs; killing of 800 people in Mambilia, Taraba State by a militia group in September 2017; killing of 204 people by gunmen in Southern Kaduna in 2016; killing of 347 people by the Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna State in December 2015; killing of 150 pro-Biafra agitators by security forces in the South East region from 2013-2017.
Others are the killing of 46 people by herdsmen in Enugu State in April 2016; alleged killing of over 2, 000 people by militia groups in Zamfara State from 2011-2018; killing of over 800 people in post-election violence in 12 Northern States in 2011; killing of 50 people in pre-election violence in Rivers State in 2015; and killing of over 3, 000 people in communal clashes in Plateau State”.
Falana specifically said he would proceed to the court to institute mandamus proceedings against the IGP if he fails to furnish him with such information as requested.
“As this request is made under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, you are required to accede to our request within 7 days of the receipt of this letter. However, if you fail or refuse to accede to this request, we shall proceed to institute mandamus proceedings, compelling you to furnish us with the needed information”, he stated.
Falana noted that the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation has commenced the prosecution of the terror suspects who were arrested from 2011-2017 by the security forces based on pressures from the human rights community.
He, however, regretted that while this was ongoing, other armed gangs that have engaged in the mindless killing of thousands of Nigerian people including children have not been prosecuted by the respective State Governments.
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