Victims of the defunct SARS and other security agencies brutality in Taraba state have asked the Federal Government to cushion the untold hardship they are facing by compensating them.
The victims in their number gathered in Jalingo the state capital and are asking that the same measure meted out to other states across the country should be replicated in Taraba.
The judicial panel which was led by Justice Christopher Awubra was inaugurated on the 22nd of October 2020 to serve for six months and received 34 petitions.
Out of the 34 petitions received, 26 were against the Nigeria Police Force, one against the NSCDC, two against the vigilante group, and three against the Nigerian army. Six of the petitions were withdrawn and struck out, while 28 were successfully heard.
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A spokesman for the victims, Ferdinand Kakaba urged the Federal Government to come to their aid.
”To our own understanding, the panel has concluded its assignment and submitted its report, up to now, there is no result from the federal or Taraba State government, we do not know what is going on.
”We are suffering untold hardship, some people died, they left their orphans, widows, while others are still receiving treatment in various medical centres in the country.
”Even among us here, someone was referred to kano, but he cannot go there, because he has no money.
”We have exhausted our energies, so we expect that with the completion of the panel’s assignment the federal government should have responded just like it did in other states.
” We are aware that many states in Nigeria have paid off victims of such atrocities, why is Taraba state different? Where is the problem? That is why we are here to let the whole world and indeed Nigeria and Taraba state to know.
”Maybe the fault might not be from the state government, but it is their responsibility to take care of its citizens.
”At least the federal government should have pity on us, especially with what has been done to us.
”People are suffering, we have been injured, there are lots of problems ongoing, not to even talk of the hardship going on as a result of food scarcity, just treatment alone, is enough for us.
”These are not only the victims that were affected, but some cannot walk, some cannot pay for their transportation fare to this place, that is why few of us are representing them and speaking on their behalf,” Kakaba stated.
The judicial panel on the restitution of victims of SARS and other security agencies brutality in Taraba State ended its sitting on the 17th day of May 2021.
