By Alltimepost.com
Delta State community of Oghara Kingdom in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta has continued its protest against the recent alleged extra-judicial killing of Mr. Benson Ogedegbe by men of the 19th Infantry Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Oghara.
The community, human rights and civil society groups are calling for investigation into the alleged killing of the community leader who was Chairman of Oghara Vigilante Group.
According to the petition addressed to the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Abuja, by the Ovie of Oghara, His Royal Highness Uku Ogharanamen Orefe III, and the Oghara Center for Justice and Development, Ogedegbe is believed to have been murdered by the soldiers in order to cover their tracks in some shady deals in which they had become involved with a ring of criminals operating within the community.
“Based on a progression of events leading up to this incidence, we are of the strong view that our son Mr. Benson Ogedegbe was murdered by the soldiers in order for them to cover their tracks in some shady deals in which they had become involved with a ring of criminals operating within the community.
Whose operation the Vigilante Chairman our son strongly opposed inspite of their many overtures to win him over.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Rev David Ugolor, Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice called on the United Nations Human Rights Commission, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, the International Criminal Court and the Human Rights Watch to investigate the gross violation of human rights by the Nigerian Military.
Below is full text of the petition by the Ovie of Oghara, copied to Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, the Executive Governor of Delta State; Hon. Erhiatake Ibori, Member Representing Ethiope West Local Government Area, Delta State House of Assembly; the Inspector-General of Police, Force Headquarters Abuja, FCT; The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Police Command, Asaba, The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Army Headquarters Abuja, FCT, among others:
The Executive Secretary,
National Human Rights Commission,
No. 19 Aguiyi Ironsi Street,
Maitama, Abuja, FCT.
Dear Sir,
PETITION CALLING FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF SOLDIERS ATTACHED TO 19 BATALLION NIGERIAN ARMY STATIONED AT KOKO WARRI NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA DELTA STATE OVER THE EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLING OF MR. BENSON OGEDEGBE CHAIRMAN OF OGHARA VIGILANTE GROUP AND SURROUNDING CIRCUMSTANCES
I, HRM Uku Ogharanamen Orefe III, the Ovie of Oghara Kingdom, on behalf of myself, the Ogedegbe Family and the entire people of Oghara Kingdom of Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State wish to use this medium to strongly protest, and bring to your notice the extra-judicial killing of our illustrious son Mr. Benson Ogedegbe the Chairman of Oghara Vigilante Group by men of the Nigerian Army attached to 19 Battalion stationed at Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State and call for an investigation into the action of the soldiers, and the circumstances which led to the killing of our son in cold blood.
Oghara kingdom is one big peaceful and law abiding community of notable men and women. We do not condone criminals, encourage unwholesome vices in our youths or allow our community to be used as a domain by criminals for any criminal activity.
The Community Vigilante Group of which Mr. Benson Ogedegbe was Chairman before his brutal and violent execution by men of the Nigerian Army, is known for its good work of community policing and even won an award from the Delta State Police Command last year.
Our son Mr. Benson Ogedegbe was trailed from his house on the 23rd day of June 2015 on his way to the school where he was a teacher and games master by men of the Nigerian Army attached to 19 Battalion Koko in their pick-up van and when they got to the highway leading toward Benin City they started shooting at the vehicle which he was driving forcing him to pull over to the neck of the road. They thereafter forced him out of the car, beat him to stupor and shot him dead.
The soldiers, men of the Nigeria Army attached to 19 Battalion stationed at Koko who carried out this dastardly act had gone to town claiming that Mr. Benson Ogedegbe was struggling with them over a weapon when they shot him but those who witnessed the whole incidence has debunked this claim and the evidence on ground does not support same.
Furthermore, based on a progression of events leading up to this incidence, we are of the strong view that our son Mr. Benson Ogedegbe was murdered by the soldiers in order for them to cover their tracks in some shady deals in which they had become involved with a ring of criminals operating within the community.
Whose operation the Vigilante Chairman our son strongly opposed inspite of their many overtures to win him over.
We recognize that the operation of soldiers in our community is to ensure security of lives and properties. However, we find it quite saddening that those who ordinarily should protect the lives of innocent citizens are now the ones killing them. We condemn extra-judicial killing of all forms.
We condemn the action of soldiers of 19 Battalion Nigerian Army Koko for killing our son without the due process of law.
Consequent upon the above, and in order to avoid break down of law and order, loss of lives/limbs and socio-economic hardship that may accompany the backlash of this most condemnable action in the community, and to further ensure the basic and objective protection of our fundamental human rights, We earnestly urge you to use your good office to cause an inquiry to be carried out into the circumstances leading to the brutal and extra-judicial killing of our son Mr. Benson Ogedegbe Chairman of the Oghara Vigilante Group by men of the Nigerian Army 19 Battalion stationed at Koko in order to ensure that justice is done in this case and those found culpable are brought to book.
And also ensure that the family which our son left behind is adequately compensated for this irreparable loss.
A stitch in time saves nine.
Yours faithfully,
For: THE OGEDEGBE FAMILY AND PEOPLE OF OGHARA KINGDOM
HRM. UKU OGHARANAMEN OREFE III
THE OVIE OF OGHARA KINGDOM
Cc:
HE. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa
The Executive Governor Of Delta State
Government House
Asaba, Delta State
Hon. Erhiatake Ibori
Member Representing Ethiope West Local Gov’t Area
Delta State House of Assembly
Asaba, Delta State.
The Inspector-General of Police
Force Headquarters
Louis Edet House
Abuja, FCT
The Commissioner of Police
Delta State Police Command,
Asaba, Delta State.
The Divisional Police Officer (D. P. O)
Nigeria Police Force
Oghara, Delta State.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS)
Army Headquarters
Abuja, FCT.
The Commanding Officer,
19 Battalion
Nigeria Army,
Koko, Delta State.
