When Justice Came For Victims Of Extra Judicial Killings

ADAMU HUSSAIN 

Adamu Hussain 

Just recently, I did a piece on police brutality in order  to register  our grievances as youths, about the gruesome murder of a livestock trader named Mbaba Ibrahim in lokoja, Kogi State by an overzealous SARS operative. 

In the write up, I x-rayed so many cases of extra judicial killings in which the Apo killings was also mentioned. Thursday April 26, 2018, the nation woke up to hear the news that the Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced the payment of the sum of N135 million as compensation to the victims of Apo killings and those who sustained injuries during the incident.

This is the first of its kind I can recall in Nigeria and a clear confirmation of the Buhari led administration’s commitment to the rule of law , upholding justice and respect for human rights.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), a plaintiff in the case did not mince words when it affirmed that: “Justice has not only been done but seen to have done in the case “.Though no amount of money could be alternative to live, this is indeed an unprecedented kind gesture on the part of the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

To remind you, the case of Apo Killings dates back to June 2005 but justice is just coming the way of the victims now. Also, it gratifying to note that the SARS operative that pulled the trigger on an innocent  youth, a livestock trader in Lokoja has been dismissed and arraigned before a Lokoja’s Chief Magistrate Court . It would be recalled that on 13th March, 2018, men of the SARS were alleged to have shot dead a livestock seller, which caused serious confusion and pandemonium as residents scampered for safety of their lives.

Conclusively , I want to use this medium to call on Nigerian youths to always summon courage to report cases of extra judicial killings and speak up against wanton violation of human rights because, the Buhari led government is one that does not condone human rights abuse.

Adamu Hussain is the Publicity Secretary,  APC NYC Kogi.