Rights Group Write Osinbajo Over Killing Of Boat Driver By Soldiers In Bayelsa

A Human Right Group based in Bayelsa State, the Zuonaki Human Rights Initiative (ZUHURI) has sent a protest letter to the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo over the alleged killing of a 39 years old Boat Driver, Mr. Bolouzimo Tulagha by operatives of the Joint Military Task Force code named Operation Delta Safe.

The deceased Boat Driver, Bolouzimo Tulagha, was shot dead at the Polako community waterside in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the State during a Military security operation against suspected militants and gun runners.

While the authorities of the Joint Military Task Force code named Operation Delta Safe insisted that the security operation that led to the killing of the boat driver was right and necessary, the family of the deceased claimed the Boat Driver was shot dead by the soldiers after surrendering with a raise of hands and that he was innocent of the charges of alleged militancy and gun running.

But the Human Right Group, the Zuonaki Human Right Initiative (ZUHURI), in the protest letter addressed to the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo and the Chief of Defence Staff and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, insisted that the killing of the 39 years old Boat Driver was wicked, callous and unprofessional.

According to the letter signed by the Coordinator of the group, Comrade Ebiserikumo Jason Gbasa, “By all standard and in line with known military rule of engagement, the gruesome killing of the boat driver was wicked, barbaric, cruel, heartless and most callous unprofessional act by the Military. We appeal to the Acting President to order the National Human Rights Commission and also for the National Assembly to direct a detailed investigation into the sad event.”

“Instead of waiting for the outcome of petitions sent out to relevant agencies including the Office of the Acting President, the military, under the Operation Delta Safe, are engaged in window dressing of facts and threatening the families of the deceased and some members of the Media.”

‘We call on the Acting President, the Military high authorities and the National Assembly to act quickly so as to give respect to human lives and dignity. Remember a stitch in time saves nine and justice delay is justice delayed.As a group, this is a matter we shall pursue to its logical end and with the use of non-violent approach.”

Source: Leadership