Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, yesterday disclosed that the military operation at Apo District of Federal Capital Territory in which eight persons were killed on September 20, 2013 and several others wounded for allegedly belonging to the Boko Haram sect was an isolated case and unfortunate.
Ihejirika said the army acted promptly to avert what could have amounted to collateral damage in FCT.
The army boss stated this while making submission before a three-man panel of the National Human Rights Commission probing alleged cases of human rights violation as a result of the killing, brought to it by Global Rights Group and National Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (NATOMORAS).
The Chief of Army Staff revealed that the Apo incident was part of ongoing military operation to rid the Federal Capital Territory of Boko Haram elements, as well as ensure peace and stability in the country.
Represented at the hearing by the Commander, Brigade of Guards, Nigeria Army, Major Gen. Emmanuel Atewe, the army chief said the operation in Apo was sequel to a report from the Department of State Security alleging a planned attack by members of the Boko Haram.
“Between 18 and 19 September, two persons were arrested in Abuja and they made useful confessions that there existed cache of arms hidden at Apo Cemetery to be used in a planned attack,” he stated.
According to him, based on the confessional statements of the suspects, the military went to the cemetery to uncover the weapons.
“It was in the night, the area was bushy and we could not navigate the cemetery and the suspects could not identify the actual spot where the weapons were buried. It was at that point the suspects said their leader, one Suleiman, if arrested, would show the spot where the ammunitions were hidden,” the army commander said.
According to the Nigeria Army, the suspects said Suleiman was residing in the Apo uncompleted building, adding that the intention of the suspects was to launch attacks within Abuja.
Atewe explained that “it was on that premise that the team cautiously moved to the uncompleted building to arrest Suleiman. But unfortunately, as troops were deploying to cordon the building, the fire came; first it was a single shot before rapid followed. Under self defence, the troops returned fire,” the Nigeria Army insisted.
The army posited that the DSS had cogent information on a planned attack in FCT, stressing the operation was necessary to avert the plan.
“The military operating in FCT are well trained in handling arms and have exercised restraint in the discharge of their duties. We have no reason to kill anybody dastardly or act under provocation,” the army added.
“Apo is an isolated case and very unfortunate, the security agents acted proactively to prevent collateral damage that may have taken place in Abuja if the planned attack had taken place.
However, the army hinted that Suleiman is still at large and the cache of arms at the Apo cemetery still undiscovered, just as it maintained that efforts to rid Abuja of miscreants have been ongoing.
“We have carried out 153 operations successfully, made arrests and did not shoot anybody,” Atewe said, adding that “the adversaries did firearm movement; they were firing as they escaped, a loaded magazine was found and from our records, it does not belong to the military.
Meanwhile, the panel granted an application by SSS to move to its headquarters in order to protect the identity of its witnesses.
Clifford Osagie and other officials of SSS cited security reasons for the application, adding that they have some exhibits to tender.
The panel, thereby, adjourned to January 2014.