The Nigerian Senate in a released report, have resolved to investigate the extrajudicial killing of a National Youth Service Corp member, one Miss Linda Igwetu in Kano state, who was allegedly shot dead by a trigger-happy policeman a day to her passing out.
The Senate who have earlier called for a total restructuring of the Nigeria security architecture, especially those of the Nigerian Police Force said the matter will not go unpunished as Senator Atai Aidoko representing Kogi East Federal Constituency raised the issue.
The Senator citing Orders 42 and 52, raised the issue, and circumstances of the death of the late Youth Corper, said that while the deceased was on her way back home with her friends, she was shot and rushed to Garki hospital, Abuja but was refused treatment at the hospital the was rushed to were asking for a police report.
The full details surrounding her death was not given, but the Senate President Senator Bukola Saraki commenting on the motion said:
“Today, the Senate resolved to look into the death of the young NYSC Corper, Miss Linda Angela Igwetu. Accordingly, we have directed our Committees on Youth and Sports, Health, and Police Affairs to investigate the incident and report back to plenary in 2-weeks” He said.
He further stated that:
“There are two issues here. One, is how could this have happened? How could the officer mistakenly or otherwise have shot in such a way that led to this young ladies death?
“Secondly, we have passed this Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Act, and the President assented to it on the 30th of December 2017.
“Until we start holding people accountable to these kinds of incidents, they will not stop. What is the point of us passing a Bill, and the President assenting to it, then it becomes law, and still, people will decide that they will not treat a patient.
“Is it that they are not well-informed? Is it that they were not aware that such a law exists? There are a number of issues that we need to address.
“Every Nigerian life is important. Especially young ones that are just about to start their own lives and careers. This is a loss that could have been avoided.”
The Senate resolved to:
Mandate its Committee on Youth and Sports to investigate the death of the NYSC Corper; mandate its Committee on Health to investigate the non-treatment of the patient, and; mandate its Committee on Police Affairs to investigate the cause of the incident.
All three Committees have been directed to report back to the Senate in 2-weeks.
Every Nigerian life is important. Especially those of our young people who are full of life and about to start their careers. May the soul of the dear and departed Linda be granted a place amongst the righteous ones. Amin.