Yoruba Group Demands Justice For Slain Member Killed By Army Officer

Adenike Sanusi

ABEOKUTA - Yoruba Afenifere Youth Organization of Nigeria (YAYON) has called on the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai to probe the killing of its member by men of the Nigerian Army and prosecute the misfiring officer.

The group in a press release signed by its National Leader, Eric Oluwole and Secretary, Weyinmi Agbateyinro condemned the extra judicial killing by men of the Nigerian Army, saying the delay from the panel to identify the officer responsible for the killing made mockery of the military.

The group equally bemoaned the marginalization of the south west from the disbursement of the N20,000 conditional cash transfer to poor homes in the country.

It however gave the military 72hours ultimatum to ensure the prosecution of the erring officer and compensate the family of the slain member, saying the failure may declare the attack as an organized one to kill innocent citizens.

"It saddens our heart to confirm from multiple source the extra judicial killing exhibited by a yet to be identified nor punished member of the Nigerian armed forces is taking the military ages to fish out. We consider that the delay from the panel is making a mockery of the Nigerian Army gallantry.

"We therefore urge the Chief Of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai as a man of the people, to expedite actions to ensure his men are not a menace to NIGERIA and the society at large. We believe that the gestapo approach and over zealousness exhibited by the army personnel would have been best for Sambisa forest.

"It is shameful that there will be marginalization of Yorubas and other parts of the country in the disbursement of the #20,000 conditional cash transfer to poor homes in the country. We are fully aware that this is not the position of the president, as the president as continuously portrayed himself as father of the nation, having sacrificed so much in the continuous unity of this country. We contend, that one out of many other "responsible ministers" cannot rent this nation apart.

"More so, the ugly display of physical cash being dolled out under her ministry is one calling for serious concern. In a country where cashless policy is operational as well as a need to end corruption, one wonders how physical cash dolling can ensure strict compliance. Perhaps, the "honorable minister" is unaware that BVN now exist in Nigeria.

"We equally make bold to challenge the restrictions to the North, as negating the principle of federal character. YAYON vehemently rejects this stands and calls for a total turn around. We seek for an all encompassing process and palliatives for all indigent Nigerians. Times are hard now and government must show it's responsibleness to her citizens.

"The Nigerian Army is hereby given a 72 hours ultimatum to ensure the prosecution of the erring officer and compensating the family of the deceased or we consider and declare the attack as an organised one to kill innocent citizens.