Chima Azubuike
Gombe state governor, Inuwa Yahaya on Saturday, commissioned a panel of inquiry with 8 terms of reference of unearthing human right violations by the disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad and other Nigeria Police Unit or security agency.
Yahaya said he was setting up the panel based on the provisions of section 2 of commission of inquiry law CAP 33, laws of Bauchi state 1991, adding that it is applicable to Gombe state and that the panel will sit for 6 months.
According to him, “There is no doubt that the Nigeria police force is playing a big role in the preservation of law and order in the society, despite the significant challenges it faces. The police and other security agencies are the only forces standing between our communities and anarchy.
“However, complaints of human rights abuses, extortion and extra judicial killing have put a huge dent on the Nigeria police force. As a people oriented government we are committed to protecting life, property and humanity of our people.
Yahaya stated these while inaugurating the panel chaired by Retd. Justice Sa’ad Mohammed, Acting director of public prosecution Abdulsalam Kumo as Secretary, and nine others while Barr. Caleb Ubale will serve as counsel to the panel which is geared towards resolving all instances of human right abuses in the state.
“The panel is to collect complaints from victims, or the members on allegations of human right violations by personnel of the disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad and any other police force unit or security agency in Gombe state.
“To identify panel of the disbanded special anti robbery squad and any other security agency responsible for violating the human rights of any person.
“To recommend state government appropriate sanctions to imposed on any person responsible for violating human rights of any person in Gombe state.
“To identify persons or group of persons who sponsor acts of violation of human rights committed by personnel of disbanded special anti robbery squad, and any other police unit or security agency in Gombe state, to recommend sanctions against such person or group of persons,” Yahaya added.
On his part, chairman of the panel Retd. Justice Sa’ad Mohammed said the commission will be fair and just adding that they will not take with levity the confidence reposed on the members.
He said, “We assure that there will be compliance, especially by complained against. We will keep an open mind and we assure everyone the complainants, persons complained against and our society at large that we will do justice so that at the end we will have peace in this state and the country in general.”
