Nathaniel Zacchaeus and Linus Aleke
The Senate has directed its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions to commence investigations into the alleged collection of taxes and levies from residents of Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State by the military authorities there.
The panel was asked to submit its report for consideration within one month.
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, handed down the directive after the Senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, Ishaku Elisha Abbo, laid 17 different petitions from members of his constituency before the red chamber shortly before the nation’s parliament proceeded on the New Year recess.
Abbo, had informed his colleagues that his people who were just liberated from the control of the Boko Haram insurgents, were not engaged in another slavery in the hands of the Nigerian Army personnel in Michika.
The Senator said, “Michika Local Government Area in Adamawa State was under the occupation of Boko Haram before it was liberated in 2015. It seems that the residents of Michika are currently replacing one form of fear with another.
“They have graduated from the fear of Boko Haram to that of the Nigerian Army. I have 17 petitions here from the residents of Michika with various allegations against the Nigerian Army.
“They alleged that the people of Michika are paying various taxes to the Nigerian Army. They are saying that they pay N2, 000 each before they can transport a bag of cement Michika for sale.
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“They also alleged that the personnel of the Nigerian Army charge them N3, 000 per bundle of zink in Michika.
“They further alleged that the personnel of the Nigerian Army in Michika charged N5, 000 to register a motorcycle before it could be used. The monies are not being paid into the consolidated revenue fund of the Federal Government but to individual bank accounts.
“If this is allowed to continue, it will bring a very negative name to the Nigerian Army. While we appreciate the sacrifices of the Nigerian Army to the people of Nigeria, especially in the North East geopolitical zone, such bad practices of some personnel of the Nigerian Army in Michika should be investigated.
“The 17 different petitioners are among others, asking the Senate to investigate the allegations against the Nigerian Army personnel in Michika. One of the petitions even alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari approved through the National Primary Healthcare Agency, the construction of Primary Healthcare Centres in Michika.
“They further alleged that bags of cement being conveyed to Michika for the construction of the projects have been detained by the Nigerian Army personnel who are demanding payment of N2, 000 as taxes per bag of cement before they could be released.
“They are demanding that the officers involved in the act should be brought before the Senate and be made to answer questions.
“The petitioners are also demanding that those found guilty should be punished to serve as a deterrent to others.”
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, asked Abbo to lay the petitions and he referred them to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, to report back in four weeks.
Efforts by ThisNigeria to get the response of the Nigerian Army on the allegations proved abortive as the Director of Public Relations, Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu did not take his calls, nor respond to inquiries sent to his mobile number.
