Reps Member Accuses Military Of Assaulting Colleague In Benue

A member of the House of Representatives, Mark Gbillah, has accused the military of assaulting his colleague in Benue State, Kpam Sokpo.

Gbillah told the House on Wednesday that the unfortunate incident occurred on Saturday, March 18 at a hotel in Gboko, Benue State.

The lawmaker alleged that men of the 401 Division of the Nigerian Army numbering over 20 stormed the hotel in army trucks and dressed in military uniforms.

He ordered all persons within view to move, gather in groups, and squat without explanation, describing the order as “such cruel and inhuman treatment”.

According to him, while complying with the army officers’ commands, one of the soldiers accosted Sokpo and slapped him.

The Lower Chamber was disturbed that despite introducing himself as a serving member of the House of Representatives, about 20 soldiers pounced on him.

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The House asked the chiefs of army and defence staffs to commence a comprehensive investigation of the incident.

The Lower Chamber is also planning to invite the chiefs of defence and army staffs to appear before the House to, among other things, explain the circumstances behind the unprovoked attack and why the military officers did not carry proper identification or inform the civilians about their mission.

They are also expected to brief the House about actions currently taken by military authorities to investigate the unprovoked assault on residents of Gboko, including Rep. Sokpo and the death of two persons shot dead in Gboko on May 18, Saturday.