Eke Neighborhood Watch: Place high premium on inter-agency co-operation, senate tells security operatives

 Senate has directed the Nigerian Armed forces, the Nigerian Police Force, and other paramilitary organizations to always ensure that they place high premium on inter-agency co-operation and collaboration as a means of achieving the target objectives of the National Defense Policy.

The Senate has also asked the Nigerian Armed Forces discharging non-core duty in aid of civil authorities to always insure that they educate the civilian population about their rules of engagement, modes of operation, and the importance of information sharing.

The Upper Chamber has directed the Nigerian Army to pay a condolence visit to Eke community in Udi Local Government area, Enugu state, to condole with the families of the deceased, sympathize with the injured and pay some compensation.

The Senate has commend the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoheed Lagbaja for responding to the invitation of the Committee and for the quick resolution of the matter, just as it has directed its committee on compliance to ensure that the resolution of the Senate in this matter is complied with.

Resolutions of the Senate yesterday were sequel to the presentation and consideration of the report of the Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions in respect of a petition from Dr. Uba Anichebe and Three Others on Behalf of Eke Progressive Forum on the Alleged Unwarranted Killings and Attack on Eke Neighborhood Guards by Officers of the Nigerian Army in Eke, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State that took place on Thursday, 29th June, 2023.

The report was presented by the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Neda Imasuen, LP, Edo South.

Presenting the report, Senator Imasuen said, “In line with the Constitutional duty and responsibility of the Legislature to protect the Civil liberties and Constitutional Rights of Citizens against any form of Injustice, the Senate Federal Republic of Nigeria, at its Plenary Session, on Thursday 6th July 2023, received a Petition from Dr. Uba Anichebe and three others on behalf of the Eke Progressive Forum, on the alleged unwarranted killings and attack on the Eke Neighborhood Watch by some personnel of the Nigerian Army in Eke Community, Udi Local Government area, Enugu State.

“The petition was laid on the floor of the Senate by Distinguished Senator Ugwu Osita (Enugu West Senatorial District of Enugu State), in pursuance of order 40 rule 1 & 2 of the Standing Orders of the Senate, 2023 (as amended).

Accordingly, Pursuant to order 40 rule 3 of the Standing Orders of the Senate, 2023 (as amended), the petition was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions for detailed hearing and further legislative action. The petition was referred to the Committee vide the Senate Votes and Proceedings of Thursday 6th July, 2023.”

According to Senator Imasuen, the Observations and findings of the Committee during the investigation were: “That the Eke neighborhood guards is a vigilante organization established by the Eke Neighborhood forum and registered under the Enugu state neighborhood Association and watch law of 2006, to compliment the efforts of the Nigerian Army, its sister agencies, and other paramilitary agencies in combating the security challenges around Eke community in Udi local Government Area of Enugu state.

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“That even though across the globe military aid to civil authorities in time of needs is a legal non-core duty of the armed forces, in Nigeria, the practice is fraught with several challenges mainly Human Right Abuses and Extra-Judicial Killings.

“That lack of synergy coordination and communication between the troops, the neighborhood watch and the police which led to the untimely death of the two victims is highly regrettable.

“That, the Traffic Gridlock around AMA Breweries caused by the vehicles that stopped along the road in order not to run into the Armed Robbers, made it impossible for the Eke Neighborhood Watch to arrive the crime scene with their patrol vehicle there by making their proper identification by the Soldiers, very difficult if not impossible.

“That, the timely arrival and intervention of the Nigeria Police, who identified the victims, prevented the further escalation of the ugly incident.

“That prior to the incident of 29th June, 2023. The Army, the Police and the Eke Neighborhood Watch had a cordial relationship and share information. However, they failed to properly communicate about the armed robbery incident of 29th June, 2023.”