From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
The Benue State House of Assembly has called on the Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia to establish a judicial panel on brutality and extra judicial killings to address the cases of police brutality in the State.
The House made the call during Thursday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Hon Alfred Emberga.
While condemning in strong terms all forms of extra judicial killings by security personnel within Benue State, the Assembly urged the State government to liaise with relevant federal authorities to strengthen oversight, discipline and human rights compliance among security personnel serving in the State.
The House called on the Inspector General of Police to order immediate investigation into all reported cases of extra judicial killings in Benue State and ensure that culpable officers are brought to justice.
The House resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Makurdi South State Constituency Hon.Douglas Ackya who informed the House that there is a rise in cases of extra judicial killings of innocent citizens by security operatives in various parts of the State.
He said that the recent incident is the killing of one Fanen Kpentemem a mere suspect in a cybercrime by the Nigeria Police who allegedly died in Police custody and unarmed mourners of Jato Aka by armed Military Men.
Akya also noted that Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees the right to life, averring that the unlawful killings constitute a violation of the fundamental right to life and undermine the dignity of human lives as well the credibility of security agencies thereby worsening insecurity in the State.
Members who contributed expressed disappointment at the act by the security personnel and warned that the delay in addressing the menace by the Government could embolden erring officers, erode public confidence in government institutions and fuel unrest within the communities.
Also, during plenary the house called on the Benue State Government to come to the aid of Adum community by mobilizing the ministry of works to grade the road to enable the community have access to civilization as well as called on the Ministry of Water Resources and Environment to extend collaborative efforts to find a sustainable solution to the problem of gully erosion facing Adum community and other affected communities of Ogbadibo Local Government Area
