Abuja – House of Representatives Committee on Army investigating the National reported killing of members of the indigenous People of Biafra IPOB and Movement for the Survival of the Sovereign State of Biafra MASSOB yesterday suffered a set back due to the absence of representatives from the two groups.

The House Committee commenced the botched hearing on two motion referrals to it viz: “the Issue of Killing of Unarmed Civillians in the South-East and A Petition Against the Army and Others by Civil Liberties Organisation CLO at the National Assembly.

Speaker of the House Hon.Yakubu Dogara in an opening remarks had stated that the purpose of the hearing as one legislative process aimed at improvement of well being of the state.

Represented by the House Deputy Whip Hon Pally Iriase,he noted that security agencies by their definition are primary institution of the state responsible for preservation of human rights.

He added that such allegation as killing of unarmed civilians by security agents will continue to engage the attention of the House adding that it was not a witch hunt excercise.

The Speaker further hinted that the rules of engagement of the security agents needs to be updated in the light of current security challenges facing the nation.

Similarly Chairman of the House Committee Hon Rimande Shawulu said that the investigative hearing intended to unravel the issues surrounding the killing of members of IPOB and MASS0B
However,mid way into the hearing,he said IPOB said they got the notice of the hearing very late and requested for more time to be present for the hearing.

Moreover,the absence of the Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai also forced the Committee to reschedule the hearing.

The COAS in a letter to the Committee requesting for a new date said that the Army cannot be represented due to a fixed burial of some slain Army officers who died due do insurgency in the North-East region.

The House Committee after considering these requests thereafter adjourned the investigative hearing to Monday 21st December 2016 for the invited parties to appear.