FG ordered to pay families of Apo killing N10million each

On Friday Sept. 20th, military men stormed an uncompleted building behind Legislator’s Quarters in Apo, Abuja and shot dead 8 people. (Read story here). Now the families of all 8 victims are to be paid N10m each by the Federal Government as damages, while the 11 people who sustained various injuries during the attack are to be awarded N5m each. The Nigerian military had launched an attack on the building, suspecting it to be a hideout for Boko Haram members. According to the National Human Rights Commission, the

Federal Government and security agents have till date not been able to substantiate their claim that the people found in the building had ties with Boko Haram, causing the NHRC to award them the victim's families damages. Chidi Odinkalu, who presided over the panel of enquiry into the killing of some squatters in a residence in Apo by security operatives, announced this at the public presentation of the panel’s report in Abuja. "Having investigated the complaint, heard all the parties and examined the relevant laws, there is no credible evidence to show that the victims were members of Boko Haram. The self defense asserted by the respondents was not supported by facts and the application of lethal force was disproportionate and the killing of the eight persons and injuries to 11 others were unlawful”, he said. The Federal Government was given 30 days counting from yesterday April 7th to pay the damages and provide proof to the registry of the NHRC