Alleged killing of Bank security-Guard in Jos by Soldiers: Former Commissioner commends Operation Safe Haven, urges commander to continue to stand for justice

Alleged killing of Bank security-Guard in Jos by Soldiers: Former Commissioner commends Operation Safe Haven, urges commander to continue to stand for justice 

By Dickson Gupiya

October 26, 2018

Hon Abraham Yiljap, the former Commissioner of Information Plateau state has commended Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) that is in charge of security in Jos  for its response on the killing of Mr. Edogwu, a security guard with Diamond Bank, Ahmadu Bello way branch Jos, allegedly by soldiers on Monday.

 According to a report in one of national dailies, the spokesman of OPSH , Major Adam Umar, in a press statement Thursday said “Headquarters of Operation Safe Haven unequivocally condemn such over bearing acts and hereby state that it does not in any way represent the professional posture of the Armed Forces of Nigeria at large. The culprits have been identified apprehended and currently under detention and will be subjected to undergo constituted military justice procedure. The Commander OPSH once again, uses this medium to commiserate with the family of late Mr. Edogwu, the management of Diamond Bank as well as families of the injured staff.” 

Responding to the statement, Yiljap in a statement, (which a copy was made available to African Drum) stated that it was not the first reported case of soldiers killing civilians in Jos but that it was the very first reported case of a humane response by the military in Jos

 “To me it’s so far the best military response to extra-judicial killings by its men in Plateau. First, OPSH immediately issues a statement - it is heard for real. It condemns it...disowns it...identifies the men...arrests them...detains them...and promises justice. In addition, the military sends its condolences to the family of the slain man, Mr. Edogwu, the management of Diamond Bank and the families of those injured by the hooded soldiers.

“The military can never bring back the life of Mr Edogwu or sufficiently compensate his family and Diamond Bank. But this response shows the OPSH as having a human face. It too can be embarrassed and hurt by the arrogant and unprofessional attitudes of its operatives”.

The former commissioner stated that it is exactly what is expected of the military authorities and further urged it to be open when people complain about its men; listen; investigate; and act appropriately stressing that Soldiers are ordinary humans trained and kitted by the state to protect the people and the land. Consequently, they can sometimes make mistakes or act outside the rules of engagement. He however said that the cries of the people about wanton humiliation and fatal mistreatment must never be neglected.

“ OPSH Commander, Maj. Gen Augustine Agundu, you've made a point that will continue to speak well of you, your children after you and OPSH. Refuse to tolerate, hide, excuse, and celebrate your officers and men who treat human life like nothing. Hold them to account. Comfort the grieving victims. Work with the people. Stand for justice. And in your own day, people will also speak for you, and heaven will celebrate you”.

Yiljap also made it categorically clear that Plateau people are not all criminals but not all saints either because they too are humans who hurt and can hurt - like other people elsewhere adding that what the plateau people demanded from the OPSH Commander and Defence Hq was to treat them as humans and not like game in the wild.

According to him, “I see that it is possible for the military to call itself to account for its actions. This is new thinking. Sustain it. And let's all support it”.

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