By Babagana Wakil, Maiduguri
ASHENEWS reports that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned the alleged bombing of over 48 herdsmen in the Doma local government area of Nasarawa state.
This online platform further reports that the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, in a statement by the Deputy Director of Public Affairs of the Commission, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed made available to newsmen on Monday, also said “the incident is highly regrettable.”
Ojukwu who was reacting to media reports on the alleged erroneous bombing of civilians, including herdsmen by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), demanded “urgent action by the government to compensate the victims and hold erring officers accountable in order to forestall further occurrence.”
He said it is quite unfortunate that the lives of these citizens were cut short in this painful and sad manner, adding that “the loss of the life of one citizen is sad not to talk of 48 citizens.”
“The Commission is seriously worried about the incident as Nigeria cannot afford such costly mistakes that usually take the lives of many innocent civilians because it adds to the number of extra-judicial killings in the country,” Ojukwu added.
“While we urge the federal government, and the Nigerian military to ensure justice and compensation to the families of the victims, the NHRC will in line with its mandate, monitor the development and seek the protection of the rights of victims as well as payment of compensations for the lives and properties lost as a result of the unfortunate incident.
“The NHRC is also using this opportunity to appeal to the affected communities, particularly in Nasarawa state where the regrettable bombing took place, to remain calm and peaceful and not to take the laws into their hands to avoid further escalation of the crisis,” the statement further reads.
In a related development, the Commission has expressed concern over the spate of killings in the Southeast, where rampaging gunmen have been gunning down innocent citizens with reckless abandon.
“We are therefore calling on the various security agencies and well-meaning individuals and groups in the southeast to appeal to all aggrieved persons and armed groups in the southeast to lay down their arms and allow the southeast to return to its former peaceful status and embrace dialogue and forgiveness.”
