IJAW indigenes of Ajakurama and Tarila Zion communities in Egbema Kingdom, Ovia Local Government Area of Edo State have slammed a N700 million suit against the Nigerian Army and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice over the recent invasion of the communities by the army.

The petitioners, in a suit number FHC/B/CS/116/2017, filed before a Federal High Court in Benin, Edo state, alleged that the Nigerian Army, through the 4 Brigade Command, Benin, violated their fundamental human rights during the October 20 military operation in their communities, destroying property and other personal effects.

Although the Nigerian Army had explained that the operation, which was carried out on October 20 in the communities was pursuant to credible intelligence information, exposing the activities of some militants who were operating from the communities.

The petitioners, Felix Odowu, Ogolugha Odowu, Aye Nisor, Christopher Felix, Ibenatei Ipuluwei and Teacher Magic, had prayed the court to declare the said military operation during which their property were seized and wantonly destroyed as unlawful and a violation of their constitutional rights.

A statement by Napoleon Egin, the counsel to the petitioners, the prayers included an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the Army, the Attorney-General of the Federation and five others from further victimisation of the communities.

“Our clients are asking for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further breach of their fundamental rights and the sum of N700 million as general damages for injuries already suffered.

“We equally filed an ex-parte motion praying the court to order parties to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and final determination of the originating motion on notice,” the counsel added.

This step was taken in view of the sinister mission of the Nigerian Army to annihilate any adult male indigene of our clients’ communities.

“As we brief you this moment, the army’s act of hostility against the good people of Ajakurama town in Egbema Ijaw clan of Edo State continue unabated and it is however hoped that with the service of this process on them, there will be sign of peace and normalcy returning to the troubled area,” he said.

Captain Muhammed Maidawa, spokesman of the 4 Brigade Command, Benin, when contacted said the operation was in response to a credible information on the activities of some suspected militants who he said are living in the communities.

The Army earlier claimed to have discovered a cache of ammunition and military regalia from the hideout of the suspected militants in the community, an allegation the residents described as “giving a dog a bad name just to hang him.

– Oct 31, 2017 @ 08:44 GMT |