Apo killings suspects said Boko Haram Members Met In Uncompleted Building

A Boko Haram suspect has told a panel of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) investigating the alleged extra judicial killings of eight persons, who were squatting in an uncompleted building in Apo area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja that members of the sect were meeting in the uncompleted building before he was arrested.

The suspect, Mohammed Adamu, who made the confession when members of the commission visited the uncompleted building, where the eight persons were killed on Sept 20, 2013, revealed that the group had planned to attack government institutions in Abuja before they were arrested.

The suspect added that one Suleiman, who is at large is the leader of the sect in Abuja and that they met three times a week in the uncompleted building to plan how they would defend their religion.

He said the sect members met between 8pm and 11pm daily.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Professor Bem Angwe, who spoke after the inspection of the site said that the commission will conclude its public hearing at the end of the month and will make its findings public, adding that the public hearing will continue at its headquarters where more testimonies will be taken.

The Nigerian Army had on Dec 22, 2013 defended the killing of some eight persons during a military operation at Apo District of the FCT on Sept 20.

Eight persons were killed and several others wounded during the attack by security agencies.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike  Ihejirika, who was represented by Commander, Brigade of Guards, Nigerian Army, Major Gen. Emmanuel Atewe, told the Human Rights panel that the  incident was an isolated case and was unfortunate.

He said the army acted promptly to avert what would have amounted to collateral damage in the FCT.

A non-governmental organisation, Global Rights and the National Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders

Association of Nigeria (NATOMORAS) had jointly filed a petition before the NHRC, urging it to probe the incident.


Source: Leadership