By Jude Owuamanam
Ninety suspects arrested in connection with the March 7 killings in Dogo Na Hauwa village in Shen District of Jos South Local Government area of Plateau State are to appear in court on Thursday (today).
The state acting Police Commissioner, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba told journalists in Jos on Wednesday that about 30 witnesses will testify for the prosecution.
Also a Senior District Magistrate Court in Bukuru, sitting in Jos has heard a case of a Coroner’s Inquest into the killings of Dogo Na Hawa
The inquest, which came over a month after the killings took place, was at the request of Messrs Bulus Chuwang, Da Danjuma Nash, Jacob Ali and Job Chuwang on behalf of the over 500 people that were gruesomely murdered in the March 7, 2010 massacre.
Mr. Justin Chuwang, who led the inquest on behalf of Jos South Local Government Council, is requesting Chief Magistrate Halima Nshi, the presiding coroner, to determine those believed to have been involved in the massacre of the over 500 residents of Dogo-Nahawa, Zot and Ratsat villages.
The lead counsel is also insisting that the acting police Commissioner and the General Officer Commanding 3rd Armoured Division, Maj.-Gen. Sale Maina, should be personally served with summons to appear before the chief coroner and explain the circumstances leading to the death of those killed in the mayhem.
Chuwang said the service to be made to the GOC and the acting Plateau state police boss had become necessary since they appeared to know those believed to have carried out the gruesome murder by virtue of the suspects being in their possession.
However Counsel to the GOC, Mr. Ayofe Bayo, James, said the Army could not be held culpable as they came in only to quell the unrest having been called to restore law and order when the Nigeria Police were overwhelmed by the crisis.
He said, “The involvement of the military was without any prejudice but was an effort to assist the civilian authority to nip in the bud the killing”.
The Punch
