Army: We Will Be Fair to All in Investigation of Abonnema Violence

The Nigerian Army has assured the people of Rivers State of
fairness in its investigation of the killing of soldiers and
civilians in the violence that erupted in Abonnema, headquarters of
Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state during the last
Presidential and national Assembly elections.

It however vowed to bring to justice those involved in the
killings.

The army made the assertion in Abonnema when the investigative
committee set up by the army to probe the killing of its personnel
during the violence visited the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King
Disrael Bob-Manuel. The team was led by Major-Gen. Taritimiye
Gagariga.

Addressing the people, Gagariga said the military would remain
fair in its judgment on the incident, adding that anyone found
culpable would be punished severely.

Gagariga said: “Don’t worry, all those that caused the problems
in Abonnema, we will catch them and punish them for justice to take
its cause.

“Rest assured, no harm will be brought to anybody. The Nigerian
Army will not come to start causing problems for you, we have our
constitutional mandate in security, safety of lives and property,
supporting the police and civil authorities.

“We are here on a fact-finding mission, we are not here to throw
any blame or cast any aspersions on anyone. We are just here to
find out the truth.”

He urged people of the area to support the team with useful
information that would guide them in doing justice to the matter,
stressing that no one would be witch-hunted in the cause of
justice.

He said: “If you have any information for us, that will help us
to unravel the circumstances, please let us know.

“I came with a team to investigate and look into the remote and
immediate issues regarding the presidential elections violence.

“I know some of you have lost brothers, husbands, fathers and
colleagues, even the Nigerian Army, we lost our officers and
soldiers who also lost loved ones, may the souls of the departed
rest in peace.”

However, the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, Bob-Manuel, sued for calm
among youths of the area as the military investigates the incident,
urging people of the area to avail the army information.

He said: “I need the youth to remain calm, I know that this
incident that just happened is saddening. Let the youths remain
calm and continue to trust the military and I know that those who
are guilty will definitely be punished.

“If youth have any information you can pass it on to me or the
fact-finding committee. I have been informed that those who give
information towards the resolution of this issues will not be
victimised.

“Those planning to still run away from Abonnema should change
their minds, as the military is ever more determined to protect all
in Abonnema.”

Also, the Secretary of Akuku-Toru Local Government Council, Mr.
Tobins Tobins, who was alleged to have been brutalised by soldiers
during the incident, urged the military not to witch-hunt anyone
during the investigation

Presidential Panel Releases 84 Prison Inmates in
Edo

The Presidential Committee on Prisons Reform and Decongestion
has secured the release of a total of 84 prisons inmates from the
Edo State Command of the Nigerian Prisons Service.

They were advised to re-enter the free society with apologies to
their parents and other loved ones for their misconducts and to
become useful citizens to themselves, families and the entire
nation. They were released from the various prisons as follow:
MSP Oko — 22
Benin Prison (old) — 33
Ozalla Farm Centre — 3
Auchi Prison — 7
Female Prison, Auchi — 1
Ubiaja Prison — 3
Ogba Farm Project — 15
Total of 84 inmates.

The jubilant inmates some of whom have acquired skills in
various trades while serving their jail terms had their fines of
varying amount paid by the Committee on behalf of the Office of the
Anthony General of the Federation in collaboration with the Edo
State Government and other donors.

The committee which visited the state to carry out its mandate
is headed by Hon. Justice Ishaq Bello the Chief Judge of the FCT
and has Deputy Controller General of Prisons (DCG Ops) Garba
Abubakar as member, Mrs Ayoola Daniels as Secretary and several
Directors spread across the various relevant federal ministries as
members.

Also present at the committee’s sitting in the prisons were the
Chief Judge of Edo State Hon. Justice Esohen Ikponmwen, the
Controller of Prisons CP Joseph Usendiah, the State Anthony General
and Commissioner of Justice Prof. (Mrs.) Oluyinka Osayame Omorogbe,
Senior Judges of the High Courts and Magistrates among others.

Signed:
DSP Aminu S. Suleman
Command Public Relations Officer
Nigerian Prisons Service
Edo State Command