The Rivers State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has applauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai for inaugurating the Major-General T. A. Gagariga Committee to probe the allegations of misconduct, including the assassination attempt on the state governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike by soldiers during the 2019 general elections.
The chairman of the party, Mr. Felix Obua, assured Buratai in a statement in Port Harcourt the “PDP will appear, present and prove before the Committee with facts and evidence of the atrocities committed by his soldiers against the electoral process and the people of Rivers State before, during and after the 2019 general elections”.
The party equally called on the acting inspector general of police, Mr. Abubakar Adamu to institute a similar panel to probe the alleged involvement of the Rivers State Commander of F-SARS, Mr. Akin Fakorede and some police operatives in the alleged invasion of polling units, collation centers, abduction of electoral officers and the shooting and killing of innocent persons during the general elections at Khana, Gokana, Ikwerre, Eleme, Tai, Oyigbo and Ogu/Bolo Local Governments of the State.
Obua added that “one of the victims of Akin Fakorode’s assault, Dr. Ferry Gberegbe, a senior lecturer at the Ken Saro Wiwa Polytechnic has died of gunshot wounds, while Mr. Marvin Lezor Kpea-ue, Raymond Ledogo and several persons are presently battling with life-threatening injuries inflicted on them by Akin Fakorode and his murderous gang.”
He alleged that Fakorede was previously indicted by INEC’s investigative panel for direct interference and involvement in the violence and rigging that characterised the December 10, 2016 and August 18, 2018 legislative house rerun in the state.
It would be recalled that Buratai set up the nine-member committee to investigate all allegations of misconduct against its personnel during the last general elections.
The committee, which is to submit its report not later than March 31, is headed Gagariga, with Brig-Gen. J. M. Ali; Brig-Gen. G. O. Adeshina; Brig-Gen. M. A. Obari; Col. A. T. Bitiyong; Col. A. Tanko and Col. W. A. Bakare as members, and Lt-Col. P. A. J. Ebuk as secretary.
The committee, which has already commenced action, was inaugurated by the Chief of Administration (Army), Maj-Gen. KAY Isiyaku, on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, and admonished to carry out its duties objectively, fairly and transparently in line with its terms of reference, which center on thoroughly investigating the activities, actions and/or inactions of Nigeria Army personnel in all the states that alleged one infraction/wrongdoing or the other.
The committee is also to collate and thoroughly analyse all reports to determine the veracity of the allegations, including the alleged assassination attempt on Wike and the circumstances that led to the shooting to death of Lt. Kurmi, as well as that leading to serious injuries to an officer and some soldiers in the state.
It is further mandated it to visit all states where issues have been raised about the conduct of its personnel during and after the elections and also interact with civil society organisations (CSOs), sister security agencies and state governors with claims against the Army.
