The Senate has vowed to get to the deepest root of the alleged extrajudicial killing of 9 people and injuring of several others which occurred in Apo Legislative Quarters in Abuja on 20th of September.
While speaking at the opening session of the Senate Joint Investigative Committee on Alleged Extra-judicial Killings in Apo, Abuja, President of the Senate, David Mark, assured that the upper house is interested in the matter hence no “biases or sentiments” will be allowed in the course of the investigations.
Mark also pointed out that the upper house is currently approaching the matter with an open mind to get the facts so the justice would be done.
“The Apo killing has generated a lot of public utterances and public condemnations. But let me urge that before we engage in the blame game or rash conclusions, let us hear from all sides and let us be able to analyze all the stories we have heard, let us filter where the facts, because if we just go by the rumour, or of what we read, or by public opinion of individuals who have access to the media, we may not get the true stories”, Mark said.
“As responsible representatives of the people, the Senate and indeed the National Assembly, we will ensure that all the facts are provided so that justice, so that people can meet freely and talk freely, because we encourage all the witnesses to talk freely.
The Senate president also note that most enquiries are usually boycotted by people who can give vital information directly but prefer to talk behind the scene, so he urge people to avoid giving the matter too much media hype so as to help the committee achieve its goal.
“…they will not come, they will not attend, rather they will be engaged in more bickering and go to the media men to tell them their own side of the story”, he complained.
“We want the witnesses to come and tell us their own side of the story so that we can take the right decisions”, he said as he assured that nothing will be swept under the carpet.
“Let me assure you that not a single member sitting here has come with a preconceived idea or the belief that this person or that person is right or wrong, we all have an open mind.
“We must take a decision to tackle the issue of terrorism once and for all with all our hearts and all our minds. People must exercise patience with those boys and girls who are exposed outside there. I accept human rights alright, I have no problem with human right, but human rights must be for everybody.
Mark, who is a retired military, explained it’s a different ball game forsecurity operatives on the field during ccombat contrary to civilian’s argument that the suspected squatters should have been arrested but he maintained “no group should have a right to kill and then another group cannot even have a right to defend itself”.
Mark added: “It is an opportunity for me to say that the National Assembly will make every effort to ensure that our armed forces and security agencies are properly funded. This is not cheap; you are not going to be giving information for free of charge.
He noted that there is need for proper training as well as funding of the armed forces and security agencies, to avoid the war against terrorism from becoming “endless war”.
“So, I believe that our role as a National Assembly at this time is not just to make laws but to ensure that our security services are properly funded so that we can bring this to a quick end” he said.