Navy Reference Hospital personnel killing gets Reps attention

The Nigerian Navy is suspected of torturing Richard Onumegbu, a staff member at the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital in Ojo, Lagos, to death.

The House of Representatives has decided to look into this matter. This came when Ginger Obinna Onwusibe (LP, Abia) moved a motion of urgent public interest, which was adopted in plenary on Tuesday.

This came when Ginger Obinna Onwusibe (LP, Abia) moved a motion of urgent public interest, which was adopted in plenary on Tuesday. Onwusibe moved the motion, stating that Onumaegbu was allegedly brutally tortured by five Naval officers for a terrifying five hours, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., on the fatal night of March 26.

“This barbaric act not only robbed, Onumaegbu of his life but also tarnished the reputation of the Nigerian Navy and violated fundamental human rights.

“Measures are needed to forestall the possible breakdown of law and order by aggrieved youths protesting the tragic and untimely death of their colleague and brother whose life was cut down at its prime, realizing that this is the second time my constituent is being killed unconditionally by the Nigerian Navy in the past three months.”

Contributing to the debate, the Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda expressed concern that all the motions on the floor of the House bordered on lack of security and the current one shows the inappropriate attitude by Navy Personnel.

He called for a deeper investigation by the House itself and to look at all resolutions on insecurity matters and ensure their due enforcement in order to bring relief to the affected communities in Nigeria.

On his part, Hon. Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno) called for international help from advanced nations if necessary to combat the insecurity situation once and for all, saying the use of competent international mercenaries should be considered.