The Bayelsa State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality and Other Related Offences have again, awarded another total sum of 36 million Naira against the Nigerian Army and Police in two separate verdicts delivered in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Twenty-two million Naira was given to compensate a petitioner whom the Nigerian Army destroyed his home during an operation to hunt down a notorious militant at Toru- Ndoro in Ekeremor Council Area, while the police were ordered to pay 14 million Naira to the family of a man killed by a stray bullet during a police crackdown on protesting University workers.
In January 2018, a military expedition was launched to capture a notorious militant, Peregbakumo Oyawerekumo, also known as Karowei, said to be responsible for the murder of two soldiers and a British missionary.
Although the operation was successful, the Nigerian Army is, however, is directed by the Bayelsa State Judicial Panel of Inquiry headed by Justice Ogola Young to pay 22 million Naira to one Agorowei Tukuwei for the destruction of his house at Toru Ndoro in Ekeremor Council, Bayelsa State, during the exercise.
In the same sitting, the Panel also ordered the Nigeria Police to pay the family of one Sunday Gboun, who was felled by stray bullet on May 22 at Ammassoma in Southern Ijaw Council during a demonstration by hundreds of disengaged Staff of the Niger Delta University.
It would be recalled that only days ago, the same panel awarded the total sum of 126 million Naira against the Police and Army over penalties bordering around extra-judicial killing and violation of human rights.