By Halimah Olamide
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has said the Military doesn’t have power to summon the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau state Rev Timothy Daluk.
Effiong said the Military Act does not govern the conduct of civilians adding that the only option for the Defence Headquarters is to refer whatever comment Daluk made to the police for investigation and possible prosecution.
The lawyer, noted for his series of human rights crusade, said the invitation to Daluk is an attempt to intimidate him.
Effiong, who stated these via his X handle said it is shameful that the military has failed to halt the killings in Plateau.
He said, “The military has no power to summon a civilian over critical comments in the media.
“If they feel that he has committed any offence on account of his comments, they should refer it to the police for investigation. Private citizens are not subject to service law.
“The Armed Forces Act does not govern the conduct of civilians. This is just an illegal attempt to intimidate the CAN Chairman.
“It is shameful that the same military that has failed woefully to foil the endless bloodbath is now hyperactive in their desperation to censor the views of a citizen.”
NPO Reports that the Defence Headquarters had expressed its willingness to interview the CAN chairman over his comment.
He had said in a video that had gone viral, “Daluk said, “I am here to report the situation happening in Mangu Local Government for the whole world to understand.
What is happening in Mangu at this particular point in time, the military are the ones sending our people away for the militia to burn their houses.
“At this particular point in time, they have sent every Christian away from the new market, thereby leaving the Muslims to come and burn their houses.”
The Defense Headquarters had however responded the through the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba the DHQ was in the process of reaching out to the cleric to substantiate his allegations.
He said, “DHQ is in the process of reaching out to him to come and substantiate the claims. It is not unusual for emotions to cloud people’s judgment when they have been confronted with a very traumatising experience.
“We would get to the bottom of his allegations after we have an audience with him. All the same, the military will continue to discharge its duties professionally and in line with the best international standards.”