Reps to investigate excesses of army in Jos

From JIDAUNA YANUNG, ABUJA
THE House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Human Rights, Defence and Army to investigate the case of sexual harassment and shooting of a 17-year-old SSI female student by a soldier deployed on internal security in Jos the Plateau State capital.
This is sequel to a motion sponsored by Hon. Istifanus D. Gyang (PDP Plateau) and Hon. Edward Gyang (APC Plateau) which was moved on the floor of the House recently.
Moving the motion, Hon. Istifanus Gyang noted that the military was massively engaged in internal security operations across the nation as part of the commitment of government to live up to its foremost constitutional responsibility of ensuing the well-being, safety and security of the citizens.
The lawmaker further stated that in the process of undertaking this onerous task, the military has been contending with cases of human rights abuses, some of which have attracted the attention and condemnation of Human Rights Watch.

Hon. Gyang who represents Barking Ladi Riyom Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the National Assembly also observed that while the military high command has repeatedly assured citizens of its commitment to the observance of human rights as amply embedded in the rules of engagement, there were behaviours and actions of operatives within the rank and file that were negating this noble quest.
Hon. Gyang whose constituency has been affected most in the attack by unknown gunmen informed the House that on the 19 October 2017, people of Sopp in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State embarked on a protest against soldiers manning the check point in the community who had earlier caused the death of two boys.
He added that in the process of the protest one of the soldiers shot a 17-year-old SSI female student of Government Secondary School, Sopp.
Most members of the House who spoke on the motion regretted the action of the soldiers and urged that immediate action be taken to solve the problem.
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