Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has, on Monday, constituted a commission of enquiry to investigate public nuisance, disturbance of public peace and other activities (shooting practice) alleged to have been carried out by ACTED, an International Non Governmental Organisation (iNGO) at Imperial Guest House, Old GRA Maiduguri.
The 8-member committee is headed by the immediate past Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, Maiduguri Branch, Muhammad Umoru Esq.
Other members are S. A. Idriss representing the Ministry of Justice, CSP Bulama L. Hussaini, representing the Nigerian Police, Amos SAH, representing the Department of State Security (DSS), ACI Ahmed Abubakar M, representing the Nigerian Immigration Service, ABBA Mallam Umate Esq. representing the Nigerian Bar Association, Babi Baba Mala, representing the Agency for Sustainable Development & Humanitarian Response and Hajjiya Adama Umar representing the Governor’s office will serve as Secretary.
Zulum said the constitution of the commission was in the exercise of powers conferred on him by section 2 (1) of the Commission of Enquiry Law Cap. 37, Law of Borno State, 1994.
Zulum added that his action was necessitated in view of the shooting incident that resulted in the disturbance of peace to residents of the area as it brought panic and fear to the entire state.
The governor commended the role of International Non-Governmental Organisations in restoring hope to traumatized people through various intervention programmes worth billions of naira. However, Governor Zulum expressed concerns about the simulation saga involving ACTED.
“It has became a source of great concern to the government and people of Borno State, the case of the so called simulation training carried out by ACTED at Imperial Guest House. Let me state here that the State Government is not unmindful of its obligation to its citizens and is very much committed to restoring law and order in all parts of the state”, Zulum said.
Governor Zulum also warned that his administration will not condone any act that will breach the existing peace in Borno.
“Government will not fold its arms and watch certain persons or group of persons perpetrate acts that are inimical to public peace and detrimental to the peaceful co-existence of its citizens or carryout acts that are capable of breaching the relative peace that has been attained in the state”, he warned.
Zulum expressed confidence on the composition of the members of the commission, stressing that they have been appointed based on their individual merits. He urged them to work judiciously to unravel the circumstances that led to the simulation training and ensure that the culprits, if found guilty, are brought to book. He said this should serve as deterrent to other Non-Governmental Organisations operating in the State.
The Governor while inaugurating the commission stated 8 terms of reference listed below.
1. To ascertain the nature and magnitude of the public nuisance and disturbance of public peace to the people in the general area of Imperial Guest House, Old GRA, Maiduguri.
2. To determine the persons or group of persons responsible for perpetrating the public nuisance and disturbance of public peace on the 26th June, 2021 at Imperial Guest House, Old GRA, Maiduguri.
3. To ascertain if ACTED (INGO) is a registered International Non-governmental Organisation permitted to operate in Nigeria or Borno State and under which law.
4. To ascertain how ACTED (INGO) were found to be in possession of the three (3) toy pistols and other items its personnel used in carrying out the simulation training.
5. To determine the travelling documents of the heads of the ACTED (INGO) team and the twenty-one (21) other foreign personnel of ACTED (INGO).
6. To determine the area of intervention of ACTED (INGO) in Borno State.
7. To make appropriate findings and recommendations to Government on how to forestall future occurrence(s) of such act.
