Kogi community petitions Chief of Naval staff over torture, illegal activities of officers

The people of Olla in Igalamela/Odolu local government area of Kogi State have written a petition to the Chief of Naval Staff over alleged torture and shooting of some youths in the area.

The petition, which was forwarded to CNS through their Solicitor, Abdullahi Haruna & CO., a copy of which was made available to DAILY POST, claimed that a healthcare facility in the community, which now serves as NAVAL outpost, was forcefully taken over.

Earlier in the year, people of Olla community had expressed concern over the show of impunity by men of the Nigeria Navy in acquiring a building meant for health care Centre, which was built by the administration of former governor, Ibrahim Idris.

The petitioners, who earlier raised a formal complaints through a member representing them in Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Friday Makama over suspicious activities of men of the Nigeria Navy, further explained that the arbitrary shooting, which took place on 18th May, 2018 confirmed their fears.

Part of the petition read: “while the concern and the fear of our clients is yet to receive any response, or reaction or investigation being carried out, there seems to be ongoing flagrant abuse, violation of rights, torture, unwarranted shooting of harmless and defenceless civilians in the community at the moment.”

It further explained that Naval officers operating from that facility abducted two of the youths, who were taken to Police Station in Lokoja, but were rejected.

“The officers arrested some youths at a meeting, detained them and upon release, they were warned to maintain sealed lips particularly the critically injured among them.

“Quite strangely, the affected youths while in the cell of the men of the Nigeria Navy were tortured to confess their political parties and they did,” the petitioners said.

They called for investigation of activities of the officers and to vacate from the facility.

They also urged Naval officers to tender apology to the community and those affected.

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