The Nigerian Army has vowed to bring to justice those
involved in the killing of its men and other civilians in the violence that
rocked Abonnema, headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers
State during the presidential and National Assembly elections.
The army made the vow on Monday in Abonnema when the
investigative committee set up by the army to probe the killing of its
personnel during the violence visited the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Disrael
Bob-Manuel. The team was led by Major-Gen. Taritimiye Gagariga
Addressing the people, Gagariga said the military would
remain fair in its judgment on the incident, adding that anyone found culpable
would be punished severely.
Gagariga said: “Don't worry, all those that caused the
problems in Abonnema, we will catch them and punish them for justice to take
its cause.
"Be rest assured no harm will be brought on anybody.
The Nigerian Army will not come to start causing problems for you, we have our
constitutional mandate in security, safety of lives and property, supporting the
police and civil authorities.
"We are here on a fact-finding mission, we are not here
to throw any blame or cast any aspersions on anyone. We are just here to find
out the truth.”
He urged people of the area to support the team with useful
information that would guide them in doing justice to the matter, stressing
that no one would be witch-hunted in the cause of justice.
He said: "If you have any information for us, that will
help us to unravel the circumstances, please let us know.
"I came with a team to investigate and look into the
remote and immediate issues regarding the presidential elections violence
“I know some of you have lost brothers, husbands, fathers
and colleagues, even the Nigerian Army, we lost our officers and soldiers who
also lost loved ones, may the souls of the departed rest in peace.”
However, the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, Bob-Manuel, sued for
calm among youths of the area as the military investigates the incident, urging
people of the area to avail the army information.
He said: "I need the youths to remain calm, I know that
this incident that just happened is saddening. Let the youths remain calm and
continue to trust the military and I know that those who are guilty will
definitely be punished.
“If youth have any information you can pass it on to me or
the fact-finding committee. I have been informed that those who give
information towards the resolution of these issues will not be victimised.
"Those planning to still run away from the Abonnema
should change their minds, as the military is ever more determined to protect all
in Abonnema.
Also, the Secretary of Akuku-Toru Local Government Council,
Mr. Tobins Tobins, who was alleged to have been brutalised by soldiers during
the incident, urged the military not to witch-hunt anyone during the
investigation.
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