Apo killing: The squatters attacked the security men first – Army Chief, Azubuike Ihejirika

The Nigerian army had joined the SSS to further justify the claim that the squatters killed at the Apo legislative quarters attacked the combined team of SSS and the military first. The SSS had since the incident claimed that those killed in the operation were suspected members of Boko Haram who attacked the military during their operation in the uncompleted building. Army Chief, Azubuike Ihejirika, had further strengthened the claims of the SSS that the soldiers only returned fire after they were attacked. The claim has since been refuted by those who witnessed the incident, as they have continued to say that the squatters were innocent and did not launch any attack as claimed by the military and the SSS. The SSS had claimed in a statement issued just immediately after the incident that while it went to exhume some weapons purportedly buried by some Boko Haram members, they came under heavy attack, leading to the exchange of gunfire that killed about seven of the attackers. However, the SSS and the military that went for the operation are yet to make available to the public the weapons recovered from the site of the operation. Those who were at the site, had equally disclosed that there was nothing close to weapon excavation, and that the incident resulted from mere eviction of occupants of the building by the owner. Ads by safesaver Meanwhile, the House committee on Public Safety and National Security commenced investigation on the killing on Thursday. Lawmakers are of the opinion that it was completely against the law of the federal republic of Nigeria to have killed those young men, instead of an arrest, terming the action of the military and the SSS unfortunate. “We could not sleep that night and we were even scared to come out the following morning. It is not acceptable for the SSS to shoot people whether they are Boko Haram or Keke NAPEP (tricycle) operators. They should first be arrested and investigated,” said Clever Ikisikpo (PDP-Bayelsa) Mr. Ihejirika told journalists after a closed door meeting of the first hearing on the matter that, the operation was a success as it pre-empted attack in parts of Abuja. “I appeared before the House Committee on Public Safety and National Security on the joint operation conducted by the Directorate of State Security Services and a unit of the Nigeria Army,” he told reporters. “We briefed them and informed them of the mission which was to recover arms and weapons and make arrests. We also briefed them on the fact that on approach to the area, the security men were fired at and they had to return fire and also make arrests.” Meanwhile, the FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed had claimed that his office was not informed before the operation, yet claimed responsibility for the attack and the eventual killings. He said that henceforth, uncompleted buildings that have stayed more than the approved two years will either be demolished or turned to a police post.