Military/Civilian Clash: Senator Berates Niger Governor For Alleged Report Scorn

From Saka Bolaji, Minna

The Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District David Umaru has lambasted the Niger state government over its inability to implement the report of the judicial commission of inquiry instituted into the clash between the military and Bosso communities 12 months after the commission submitted the report.

Umaru stated this at the opening of a sensitization seminar organized by the National Human Rights Commission held in Minna.

He said that the refusal of the state government to make the report public and issue a white paper on it amounted to an irresponsible act when many people affected by the crisis were waiting for government action.
He said, “It is unacceptable that the government has undermined the plight of the people from across the entire state affected by the Bosso communities and military clash during which many lives were lost. It is sad for the government to have continued to brush aside such an important report while the widows and children of victims and the general public are kept in the dark over the situation.
“I am aware that the commission completed sitting and submitted its report since December last year. It is unfortunate that the government is sitting on the report instead of implementing it to bring succor to the affected families. This is unacceptable”

While calling on the government to commence implementation of the report without further delay, the lawmaker said he has initiated a bill at the National Assembly to regulate the involvement of military in civil crisis.

He said that it was not the military but the police that has the constitutional role in restoring peace during civil crisis, adding that the police should be empowered and efficiently trained to handle such situations instead of the military.

In a remark, Acting Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria, Mrs Oti Ogbuara, who was represented by Malam Musa Aliyu, said an early warning and response centre would soon be established in Niger state as part of measures to curb crisis in the country.

She assured that the commission will not allow any form of human rights abuse in the country and thanked Senator Umoru for his active involvement in resolving conflicts in Niger state and the country in general.