Public interest and human rights attorney, Inibehe Effiong, has criticized the Nigerian Defence Headquarters’ decision to publicly declare eight individuals wanted in connection with the murder of 17 military personnel in Delta State on March 14, 2024. The controversial move, announced through the Defence Headquarters’ social media platforms, involved the issuance of a circular listing the names and identifying one woman among the seven male suspects wanted for their alleged involvement in the fatal incident.
Effiong, expressing his concern over the procedural integrity of the military’s actions, underscored that law enforcement responsibilities, especially those involving civilians, fall squarely under the jurisdiction of the Nigerian Police Force, not the military. He pointed out that the individuals in question are not members of the Armed Forces and, as such, are not subject to military law. The lawyer argued that if there were legitimate suspicions of murder or related offenses, the proper course of action would have been for the military to relay such information to the police for appropriate handling.
In his remarks shared on X, Effiong stated, “This should be handled by the police, not the military. We keep bastardizing our institutions. These individuals are not members of the Armed Forces and therefore not subject to Service Law. It is illegal to declare anyone wanted without a court order. If the Armed Forces suspect them of murder or other offenses, they should have passed the information to the police. This gestapo behavior has to end.”
Effiong’s criticism brings to light the ongoing debate over the boundaries of military involvement in civil law enforcement activities within Nigeria. His call for adherence to legal protocols and respect for judicial processes reflects broader concerns about the preservation of democratic principles and the rule of law in the country’s security operations. As the situation develops, the legal community and the general public await the response of the Nigerian Defence Headquarters and the potential implications of their actions on civil-military relations and justice administration in Nigeria.
Okuoma: “The armed forces have no right to declare anybody wanted, particularly civilians.”
Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong @InibeheEffiong, says ‘the murder of soldiers in Delta state is a state offence and a civil matter for the civil courts to handle.’… pic.twitter.com/Vx3DrpIbUm
— Nigeria Info FM 99.3 (@NigeriainfoFM) March 28, 2024
