Former Senate President, Lawan Reacts As Soldiers Allegedly Kill Three ‘Innocent’ Civilians In Yobe

Former President of the Nigerian Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has reacted to the alleged killing of three innocent civilians by soldiers in Gashu’a, the headquarters of Bade Local Government Area in Yobe State. According to reports, the soldiers, on Sunday, fired indiscriminately at groups of protesters who were approaching their ‘Stop-And-Search’ checkpoint near Gashua Bridge. The protesters were demonstrating against the alleged killing of a tricycle operator by soldiers in Gashu’a on Sunday. Three civilians lost their lives in the incident, while 12 others were injured and taken to the Federal Medical Centre Nguru for treatment. In a statement he personally signed on Sunday, Senator Lawan urged the military authorities to conduct an immediate investigation into the tragic incident. As the Senator representing Yobe North in the Upper legislative chamber and the current chair of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Lawan emphasized the need for the Nigerian Army to ensure that those responsible for these acts of violence are held accountable. He said, “Gashua community has always been a peaceful place with calm people, who always give support and cooperate with the military, paramilitary, and, indeed, all government agents operating in the town.” Lawan urged the residents to remain calm, stating that he had already consulted with military officials to guarantee that the perpetrators would be caught and punished in accordance with the law. He stressed that justice would prevail. The legislator also pledged to oversee the care of all injured individuals. “I am deeply saddened by Sunday’s tragic event that took place in Gashua, Yobe State, where soldiers allegedly killed three innocent civilians who were amongst those protesting the killing of a tricycle operator by the soldiers. “I call on the military authorities to swiftly investigate and bring to justice those responsible for the killings. It is imperative that those behind these senseless acts of violence are held accountable for their actions. Justice must be served for the victims and their families. “Accordingly, I have waded into the issue by contacting the Bade Local Government Chairman and Commanding Officer for an hourly brief to keep me abreast of developments. I have also taken responsibility for the treatment of all the 12 persons who sustained various forms of injuries from attack by the soldiers. “I urge the community of Gashua in Bade local government area, to remain calm and peaceful in the midst of this tragedy. “I stand in solidarity and unity with the residents of Gashu’a during this difficult time to mourn the loss of innocent lives. Together, we can honour the memories of the lives lost and work towards a more peaceful and just society for all. “My thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those who died during this tragic incident. May the souls of the deceased rest in Aljannatul Firdaus,” Leadership quoted Senator Lawan’s statement.

Senate Joint C’ttee Holds Closed Meeting With Service Chiefs Over Killing Of 16 Soldiers…Security takes precedence over other sectors – Lawan

The Senate Joint Committee on Defence, Army, Navy and Airforce is currently in a closed meeting with the nation’s Service Chiefs over the recent killing of troops in Okuoma community, Bomadi local government area of Delta State. The meeting which started at exactly 3:42pm has in attendance, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa; Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan; and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla. Recall that the Senate, during plenary on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, mandated the joint committee to investigate the incident. The upper chamber also urged the federal government to ensure that those responsible for the heinous crime are identified, apprehended and brought to justice. The Joint Committee is chaired by Senator Ahmad Lawan, who is also Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence. Moments before the commencement of the meeting with the Service Chiefs, members of the Joint Committee observed a minute silence in honour of the 16 Military personnel killed in Okuoma community last Thursday. Speaking on the incident, Senator Lawan in a speech delivered at the investigative hearing by the Joint Committee recalled that, “The troops of 181 Amphibious battalion, on Thursday, 14 March, 2024, went on a peace mission to Okuoma Community in Delta State. An incident occurred resulting in the loss of a Commanding officer, two Majors, a Captain and 12 Soldiers during the peace mission. “The troops on the peace mission to Okuoma community in Bomadi local government area of Delta State were surrounded by some community youths, which resulted in the death of officers and men. “Acknowledging the gravity of the attack on the military personnel, the Senate at its plenary on Tuesday, 19th March, 2024, mandated the Joint Committee on Defence, Army, Navy and Airforce to investigate the incident. “The Senate also urged urged the federal government to ensure that those responsible for the heinous crime are identified, apprehended and brought to justice.” Senator Lawan further underscored the need for the federal government to prioritise the issue of security, noting that same takes precedence over investment in any other sector. He described the killing of the 16 soldiers as “barbaric”, and appealed to Nigerians to support the Armed Forces by volunteering information that would lead to the capture and prosecution of those behind various forms of insecurity across the country. The former Senate President said, “We, in the Senate, and, indeed, the National Assembly, will always support our military in whatever way we can. [And] the National Assembly has that history. We try to at all times make meaningful appropriation for resources to be available. We know it has never been enough and, in fact, I will take this opportunity to commend our Armed Forces for doing so much with the little we can afford. “The insecurity in our country takes precedence over any other consideration and, therefore, it is the position of the Senate that no investment in any sector can be more important than ensuring that we are secured as a country. “We, therefore, are very sad as a parliament over this tragic incident. It is our hope in the Senate that those who perpetrated this barbaric and horrific act are captured and the law takes full course on them. “I want to appeal to Nigerians that this is our Armed Forces and they cannot secure us without us as citizens playing our part. Therefore, every citizen is supposed to support our Armed Forces. And those in the area where this incident happened must volunteer information because this is the only way we can stop something like this from happening another time.”