SAN, activists want alleged Fulani men’s extrajudicial killing probed

• The Nigerian Army denies involvement, asserting that their soldiers do not kill suspects in custody
  

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Rights activists are urging an immediate investigation into the alleged killing of 11 Fulani men by soldiers in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The victims’ decomposing bodies were reportedly found in a forest, identified by relatives and community members who claim they were arrested by soldiers.

The Nigerian Army denies involvement, asserting that their soldiers do not kill suspects in custody.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Norrison Quakers, emphasized the need for a thorough investigation, insisting that if military personnel are found culpable, they should face criminal trials, allowing the law to take its course.

He said, “There are consequences for such conducts and actions of extrajudicial killings. Of course, it must be investigated and if those persons are found culpable, they should be made to face the wrath of the law because extrajudicial killing is nothing but murder and the law of murder is very clear.

“The consequence of that is to be subjected to criminal trial and the law will take its course if found culpable. It involves a penalty which is death by hanging. Certainly, it has to be investigated not necessarily by the military.

“The Nigerian Police have the responsibility of investigating crime particularly when it affects the lives of innocent Nigerians being cut short. If it is investigated and these men are found culpable, it will be subjected to the military authority for them to look into it and those soldiers can now be subjected to Court Martial because they cannot be tried in civil court.”

Also, another rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, condemned the killing of innocent civilians, quoting Section 23 of the Nigerian constitution which protects citizens’ right to life.

He further urged that the military authority should carefully investigate the allegation and prosecute the perpetrators.

Another lawyer, Abdulkareem Ridwan, noted that the soldiers had no right to kill anybody without court order, calling for the probe of the military men involved in the killings.