Reps’ probe of IPOB, MASSOB members’ ‘killing’ stalled

By Joshua Egbodo
Abuja

Investigative hearing into the alleged killing of members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) by the Nigerian army,  yesterday suffered a setback as the two groups did not appear.
The House of Representatives Committee on the Army had commenced the hearing which was fallout of a resolution on a motion, namely; “the Issue of Killing of Unarmed Civilians in the South-east,” and a Petition Against the Army and Others by Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO).
Absence of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai. also further compounded the matter, as the committee was forced to reschedule the hearing for another date. Buratai was reported to gone for the burial of Lt.-Col. Muhammad Ali and others, who were killed recently by Boko Haram fighters.
The COAS in a letter requesting for a new date explained that the Army cannot be represented due to a fixed burial of some slain Army officers who died due do insurgency in the North-east.

Earlier, Speaker of the House, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, in his opening remarks, said the purpose of the hearing the hearing as one legislative process aimed at improvement of well being of the state.
Represented by Deputy Whip of the House, Hon. Pally Iriase, stated that security agencies by their definition are primary institution of the state responsible for preservation of human rights, adding that such allegation as killing of unarmed civilians by security agents will continue to engage the attention of the House.
Similarly Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Rima Shawulu, in his remarks, said the investigative hearing “intended to unravel the issues surrounding the killing of members of IPOB and MASS0B,” but that IPOB said they got the notice of the hearing very late, and, therefore, requested for another date.