Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff ordered the execution of leader of the Islamic fundamentalist group, Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf, on July 29 after he was captured by the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri Thetimesofnigeria.com investigation reveals.
A police officer who witnessed Yusuf’s execution told Thetimesofnigeria.com anonymously that Borno State Commissioner of police, Christopher Dega received “a call from the governor ordering that he we should kill him.”
Immediately after Yusuf’s death was announced, Dega told journalists that Yusuf “was in a hideout, and the forces went there and there was an exchange of fire. In the course of that confrontation, he sustained his own injury. He was picked up and he later couldn’t make it.”
That statement proved to be false as Yusuf was arrested alive without resistance and interrogated by the military team that arrested him for several minutes before he was handed over to the police.
The police officer, who spoke with our correspondent, said he was shocked when his colleagues opened fire on Yusuf after he had been hit several times with the butt of the gun.
“I have never seen anything like this throughout my short career in the force but the most senior officer who supervised the killing said it was order from above. The Superintendent said it was order from the CP (Commissioner of police) and governor.”
I knew this was wrong and most of the officers knew it was wrong but it was an order.” The officer said.
There has been speculation that the execution of Yusuf may not be unconnected with an attempt to cover up his financial backers. Yusuf is said to enjoy unfettered access to both the offices of the Bauchi state governor and his Borno state counterpart.
One of those killed was a former commissioner in Borno State.
Meanwhile, the extra judicial killing has attracted criticism from Nigerians with many calling for a probe.
“We note the effort of the security operatives for rising to the occasion and nipping the horrific incident in the bud. We must also strive to unmask the real sponsors of these deviants and punish them appropriately,” NBA President, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), said.
“We must however, hasten to equally condemn the reported extra judicial killings of some of those captured by the security operatives. It was widely reported that the leader of the Islamic extremist group, one Yusuf, was captured alive. The killing of this man in the police custody, however, reprehensible his deeds must have been, must not be encouraged in a civilized society.”
Akeredolu continued: “It is unjustifiable. Those who get killed while engaging in violent confrontation with the security operatives can be allowed to leave us in peace. Killing anyone caught alive not only offends the time tested axiom that nobody must be condemned without trial, even if the object of the guilt is apparent; it denies the country the opportunity to unmask the real financiers of confusion in the polity; those who consciously design programmes to keep their people in perpetual servitude.
“Anyone suspected of committing an offence must be given adequate opportunities to defend himself. This is a fundamental right that must be protected by all civilized people. The resort to extra-judicial killing by our security operatives is condemnable and we join all other human right groups in calling for an investigation of this repulsive barbarity.”