The Federal Government through the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) on Thursday presented a cheque of N135 million to the victims of the September 20, 2013 shooting by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS)and the Nigerian Army.
Inside Sources recalls that eight squatters in an uncompleted building in Gudu/Apo District of Abuja were killed by the security operatives while 11 sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
The security operatives had alleged that the victims were members of Boko Haram planning to attack the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The controversial killing drew outrage, which led to the setting up of a panel of inquiry by the National Human Rights Commission (H~NHRC) to probe the killings.
However, after a series of proceedings, the panel of inquiry on April 7, 2014 held that the incident constituted a gross violation of the human rights of the victims.
Consequently, the NHRC panel ordered the DSS to pay N135million compensation to the families of the dead and injured victims.
At the presentation of the cheques to families of the deceased and victims after four years, the AGF thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the payment.
“I am glad to inform the public of this gesture (the first of its kind in Nigeria) coming from President Muhammadu Buhari which is confirming his commitment to the rule of law, upholding justice and respect to human rights.
“This gesture also confirms his enduring legacy of ensuring that justice is seen to be done to every Nigerian,” Malami said.
He, therefore, expressed deep gratitude to Buhari for approving the payment and for his avowed commitment to the security and welfare of the people of Nigeria.
In addition, the AGF stated that the gesture had emphasized the role of the NHRC as an independent organisation which promotes and protects human rights.
To arrive at the approval, Malami said he had entered into negotiation of the judgment award with the plaintiffs who opted for the judgment of the NHRC.
The NHRC panel after its sitting had directed the “awards the sum of N10million as compensation for each of the deceased or N80million in respect of the eight deceased persons to be paid by the government of the federation.
“The award to each of the injured survivors is the sum of N5million and to be paid by the government of the federation. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is to ensure that evidence of payment is lodged with the Registry of the NHRC within days of the present decision,” it said.
