Alakio killing: Commision submits report

The long awaited report of the judicial commission
of inquiry into the killings of the Nigerian security
forces at Alakio village of Lafia local government
area and other matters connected therewith have
been submitted to Governor Tanko Umaru Almakura
by the commission at Government House in Lafia
yesterday.
Presenting the six volume report to the governor,
justice Joseph Fola Gbadeyan(rtd) said the seven-
man commission which he served as the chairman
was inaugurated on the 26th of June 2013 with an
8-point term of reference and in pursuant of their
assignment invited and received 22 diverse
memoranda from individuals, groups and
communities as well as security agents based on
the term of reference. Gbadeyan however revealed
that out of the 22 memoranda received, read and
defended by the persons concerned, seven out of
the 22 were read by the secretary of the
commission on behalf of some affected Eggon
communities who voluntarily withdrew from the
commission on the  30th and 31st of July.
According to Gbadeyan, “over 534 persons including
members of the Nigerian police and the Department
of  State Security Service were killed in the crises
with 40 persons sustaining various injuries in the
crises, with properties worth 3.5million naira
destroyed”.
The chairman of the commission further revealed
that 65 exhibits were tendered by individuals and
groups and were admitted by the commission as
the commission could not undertake visit to some
critical areas of assignment for security reasons.
Responding, governor Almakura thanked the
commission for the huge assignments and assured
that his government will ensure that all the relevant
recommendations as contained in the report shall
be judiciously implemented so as to enhance the
peaceful and harmonious co-existence of the over
30 ethnic communities in the state.
Almakura further hinted that the white paper on the
commission of inquiry on Agyaragu killings in 2012
would be implemented concurrently with the Alakio
report. “No stone shall be left unturned in the
implementation of the two reports”. Almakura
declared.
Similarly, the state high court seating in Lafia on
Friday struck out the motion filed by the Ombatse
legal adviser, Barr. Zamani Zachary Alumaga, who
challenged the illegality of the commission of inquiry
on Alakio Killings. According to Justice Suleiman
Diko the presiding chief judge ruled that case was
stroked out on the ground of timing in bringing the
action before the court.