SAN FRANCISCO, October 03, (THEWILL) – The House of Representatives on Thursday mandated its joint committees on internal security and public safety to investigate the killing of over 200 residents of Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State between 2011 and 2013 by unknown gunmen.
This followed the adoption of a motion brought by Hon. Gideon Goni, PDP Kaduna, under Order 8 Rule 46 of House standing rule.
Leading debate on the motion, Goni noted that the people of his constituency had suffered undue hardship in recent years, saying “my constituents have suffered so much in the last three years in the hands of unknown gunmen. ”
He maintained that “between March and now, the attacks have increased and we have lost over 65 people. On September 28 more than 14 people were killed and several houses burnt as more than five villages were raided.”
Lamenting, the lawmaker said : “My people are facing a systemic elimination; there is need for security agencies to come to our aid. But to our chagrin, in most cases, arrests are made after the attacks and a few days later, we see same suspects roaming the streets as if nothing has happened. ”
Quoting from the constitution, Goni drew the attention of the House to section 14 sub section 8b of the 1999 as amended that guarantees freedom of all Nigerians, adding that “too many lives and well over 200 houses have been lost due to this incessant attacks. ”
Speaker of the House, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who presided at the session, put it to a voice vote without debate and it was unanimously approved.
By Saint Mugaga, Abuja
*** We have updated this report to reflect that Hon. Goni is a Representative from Kaduna and not Kano as previously published. Kaura is also in Kaduna State. We regret the error.
