National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has tendered an unreserved apology to Kwara Must Change (KMC) group for the delay in investigating its petition over the gruesome killings of more than 3 youths in Lafiaji town, Edu local government area of Kwara State.

The victims were allegedly murdered by security agents attached to Alhaji Shaaba Lafiaji, a senator representing Kwara North Senatorial district during a peaceful protest to demand accountability from the under-performing senator, who is yet to sponsor any bill at the National Assembly, nor perform his constituency responsibility.

NHRC through the investigative officer in Abuja offered the apology to Kwara Must Change during the week, when a delegation by the group led by its President, Abdulrazaq Hamzat visited the headquarters of the commission in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. The commission also assured the group that it would do its part to get to the root of the matter and ensure justice is served.

Kwara Must Change president, Abdulrazaq Hamzat informed the commission that, more than 6 months after the group had submitted a petition; the people of Lafiaji are still waiting for justice on the matter.

He stated that, up till this moment, the Kwara State government is yet to acknowledge the unfortunate incident; neither did show any sympathy with the families of the victims, adding that to the government, keeping quite will make the matter be forgotten.

However, he assured the commission that Kwara Must Change is really interested in getting justice for the victims and the group will not rest, until justice is served.

In November 2017, Kwara Must Change (KMC) had submitted a petition, urging the commission to investigate the gruesome killings of more than 3 innocent youths shot by security agencies in Lafiaji town on 17 November 2017. The group also urged the Nigerian Police and other security agencies to arrest and prosecute senator Lafiaji for supervising the atrocity.

Recall that the Senate President of Nigeria, Dr Bukola Saraki who was alleged to be shielding senator Lafiaji from prosecution was stoned and chased out of Lafiaji town on March 3rd 2018.

During a political visit to the Emir of Lafiaji after the local government election, senator Saraki had requested to meet with the family of some of the victims, a demand out rightly rejected by the family. When the senator attempted to force himself on the people, youths of the town subsequently stoned and chased him out of their community.

https://mrrightsng..com/2018/07/nhrc-apologize-to-lafiaji-victims.html