SOLDIERS KILL 22 YEAR OLD PHYSICS GRADUATE: MURIC PETITIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

The Chairman,                              9^th November, 2014

National Human Rights Commission,

Abuja.

Dear Sir,

PETITION AGAINST NIGERIAN MILITARY FOR THE BRUTAL KILLING OF 22 YEAR OLD PHYSICS GRADUATE

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) brings to your notice for proper investigation and action the brutal killing of 22 year old Muhammad Konto Abba-Sulum in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria, on Wednesday, 5^th November, 2014.

The deceased, who was driving, was stopped at Bolori Layout, Maiduguri, by two uniformed soldiers, James Isuwa and Umoh who got into his vehicle and ordered him to drive ahead. He was forced to drive to a certain point where they shot and killed him. The soldiers also took the car away.

Unfortunately for the killer soldiers they were sighted by vigilantes the next morning when they took the car to a filling station along Baga Road. They were accosted by the civilian vigilantes because the car had been reported missing the previous day. They were subsequently handed over to the military in Maiduguri.

The deceased, Muhammad Konto Abba-Sulum, who was born on 8^th July, 1992, graduated in October 2014 (B. Sc. Physics) at the University of Maiduguri. He was preparing to join the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) when the lawless soldiers cut him down in his prime.

The killing of this promising young man is a crime against humanity. Yet it is just one out of so many unreported killings and wanton violations of Allah-given and fundamental human rights of civilians in North East Nigeria since the beginning of the Boko Haram insurgency. MURIC demands full investigation into this gruesome murder. We request NHRC to wade into the matter with a view to:

1.  Ensuring that the case is not swept under the carpet in the spirit of camaraderie;

2.  That the culprits are brought to justice

3.  That adequate and full compensation be paid to the bereaved parents and

4.  That the full investigation and castigation serves as a lesson to other reckless security agents in the country.

Thank you for your selfless service to humanity.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)