The League for Human Rights, based in Jos on Wednesday demanded N100 million compensation from the Nigerian Army over the alleged “extra-judicial killing'' of a 26-year-old NYSC member.
Making the demand in a statement issued in Jos, the group alleged that the corps member, Wagley Dauda, was shot dead by a soldier at NASCO Area of Jos on Feb. 16.
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The statement entitled: `Extra-Judicial Killing of Wagley Dauda, said that the killer-soldier was attached to the Special Task Force (STF) deployed to restore peace in Plateau.
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The Director of the organisation, Mr Nankin Bagudu, who signed the statement, said the brutal murder of Dauda at about 11a.m. on the fateful day was done by soldiers of the STF who mounted a checkpoint in the area.
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He said that Dauda met his untimely death as a passenger in a taxi marked, EW 336 AA, after soldiers at the checkpoint accused the driver of driving against traffic.
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Bagudu said that at around PIPC Quarters, a soldier whose identity is still shrouded in secrecy came over and stopped all vehicles that drove against traffic.
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“He ordered them to drive back but while complying, a soldier shot at the driver and in the process the bullet hit and killed Dauda who was a back seat passenger.
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“Dauda has a wife and is a staff of the University of Jos, he later died at JUTH that same day,“ the statement said.
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Bagudu noted that efforts to see the STF Commander over the incident had been futile as he had directed the bereaved family to the driver of the cab in which Dauda was killed, claiming that the STF had nothing to do with the death.
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The organisation said the family was more devastated over the attitude of the STF Commander and had decided to ask for the handing over of the soldier to the police for prosecution.
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While asking for a compensation of N100 million to the family for “the brutal and unprovoked killing of their bread winner'', the league also demanded a retraction of the statement of the STF Media Officer, Capt. Salisu Mustapha, which claimed that the driver tried to escape and did not subject himself to search at the time.
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In the same vein, Dauda's family in a letter addressed to the STF Commander, Gen. Henry Ayoola, said that Dauda was a member of their family and called for an audience with the STF.
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The letter, jointly signed by Mr Sati Watley and Mr Markus Watley, said that the STF had made a verbal promise to them after the incident to bear the cost of the burial but regretted that the commander had been shunning meeting with them.
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“The family found it extremely shocking on Monday when we went to present to the commander the funeral service programme.
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“We were further shocked when we were told that the STF had nothing to do with the death of the deceased and that the family should see the driver of the commercial vehicle.
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“We wish to request that you give us audience to discuss this matter so that a better understanding and arrangement is reached,” they pleaded.
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Efforts to get the views of the STF was, however, futile as the Media Officer, Capt. Salisu Mustapha, failed to respond to calls and SMS put to him.