Apo killings: Human Rights Commission summons Nigeria Military, SSS

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has summoned the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and the Department of State Security Service, SSS, to explain the killing of eight squatters in the Gudu area of Abuja during an excavation exercise by the SSS, early this year.
Also invited are the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Asokoro General Hospital, The Gudu Keke-NAPEP Association, Global Rights, National Security Adviser, and the owner of the property where the killing occurred. They are to appear at the hearing billed for December 19.

A combined team of soldiers and SSS operatives had on September 20, stormed an uncompleted building at the Gudu area of Apo, alleging that it was being used as shelter by some members of Boko Haram.

But the surviving victims denied membership of any terrorist organisation. According to them, all the inhabitants were engaged in trading, transportation and other petty business.
The NHRC has however, disclosed that three issues to be determined are:
(i) Whether the victims were indeed operatives of Boko Haram;
(ii) Whether, taking account of all the circumstances, the force applied in the operation was proportionate to any threat identified or directed at the security operatives or the general public; and
(iii) Whether, in the circumstances, the killing was lawful or unlawful.
The NHRC also directed that the Attorney General of the Federation should be included in the petition.