Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) yesterday alleged that some of the suspected cultists arrested in the raid of some waterfronts Tuesday were summarily executed.
The Joint Task Force (JTF) has however denied the allegation, describing it as a smear campaign.
While MEND in a statement from its official site claimed that the military executed those arrested, the JTF in Rivers State debunked the allegation, parading those arrested and allowing them to be interviewed by newsmen.
Spokesman of MEND, Gbomo Jomo� had alleged the killing of those arrested but said it had instructed its fighters not to retaliate. Spokesman of JTF; Lt. Col. Sagir Musa however paraded the suspects in front of their office to prove that the allegation by MEND was untrue.
Musa said they have order of doing things as well as rule of engagement which does not support arbitrariness, adding that the claim of MEND goes to prove that it had always issued statements without facts.
“There has never been an established report of extra-judicial killing by the JTF Operation Flush III in the past, now or will it be in the future. We have a standing and dogmatic tradition of suspects handling. The procedure is that once suspects are arrested, brought to the headquarters of JTF, they will be documented and simple preliminary investigation will be carried out.
“Thereafter, the report, the suspects and exhibits would be forwarded to the relevant components for in-depth professional investigation. The relevant organ depending on the findings may release or prosecute the suspects accordingly.
Because of the wild smear campaign or propaganda by the militants, we decided to showcase the arrested suspects in question to allay the fears,” Musa clarified.
Aug212008