The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has commenced a preliminary investigation into an alleged invasion of the Nigerian Army personnel into Sankera community in Benue State.
Public policy analyst, and one of the BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) movement spokespersons, Sesugh Akume, wrote a petition to the NHRC stating how the military personnel allegedly committed several atrocities in the community.
Akume disclosed in a release on Thursday, titled "Human Rights Commission Responds to Petition on Reported Nigerian Army Invasion in Sankera (Benue)" that investigations had begun on the matter, sharing a copy of the release with SaharaReporters.
He said, "The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has responded to my petition of 31 March, made under sections 5 and 6 of the NHRC Act 2004, in their letter dated 4 April, wherein they stated that my complaint has been registered as C/2023/CPR/2636/HQ being the complaint/reference [and tracking] number for subsequent correspondences.
"They further indicated that their Benue office has been directed to conduct preliminary investigations and that I will be informed of the outcome of their investigations in due course."
Akume further stated, "On 11 March, I read the sobering and detailed report of Ayatutu Cultural and Social Development Initiative (AYACASODI) on the attack on Sankera (Benue) by personnel of the Nigerian Army, at Jootar on 7 March, where motorcycles of innocent citizens were forcefully confiscated, and unarmed, noncombatant citizens were shot at with live ammunition, unprovoked, resulting in at least one fatality and others injured."
Noting that this was not the first of such attacks, Akume recalled that "When I ran for the House of Representatives for Sankera in the last election cycle, one of my cardinal commitments was to the security and safety of the people of Sankera, and to ensure that attacks as this are stopped and there are consequences for the attackers, whoever they are.
"I may not have been elected, but cannot in good conscience overlook yet another attack in what is beginning to look like an organised genocide on the people of Sankera by the Nigerian Army.
"I, therefore, wrote petitions to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, UN Human Rights Office, and the US-Nigeria Law Group. The first and last have so far responded.
"I can confirm that officials of NHRC (and AYACASODI) were on the ground in Jootar on Saturday, 15 April for the preliminary investigation where they engaged the victims and eyewitnesses of the army invasion, with all needed documentation done.
"The eyewitnesses and victims reiterated their commitment to testifying any time they are called upon. On my part, I remain steadfast, committed to this cause until justice is served."
The group known as Ayatutu Cultural and Social Development Initiative, AYACASODI, on March 12, expressed deep concern over an unprovoked invasion of Jootar-Mbaterem community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State by personnel of Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, which led to the death of one person while several others sustained injuries.
The group in a release signed by Chief Timothy Baaki and Comrade David Nyiagee, its National President and National Secretary respectively had said the incident which took place a day after the ban on the use of motorcycle was lifted on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 also led to the confiscation of several motorcycles by the troops.
But the Field Commander of OPWS, Major General Kelvin Aligbe, in a statement, described the allegations as false, adding that anyone found wanting would be dealt with according to the dictates of the law.
However, AYACASODI maintained that the people were moving about doing their normal business, when the Nigerian Army personnel who came from Wukari, Taraba State, began to confiscate motorcycles from their rightful owners.
“Their attempts were initially resisted by the people who stood their ground that they were freed by law to ride their motorcycles. However, they succeeded in taking away some motorcycles from the rightful owners to Wukari town in Taraba State."