The alleged brutal killing of Mr. Achimugu James Etubi, the head of the food and beverage department of the hotel located on Factory Road, at Hotel Royal Damgrete in Umuahia, Abia State, by Nigerian soldiers is a tragic and unacceptable act of violence that deserves serious investigation and justice.
Recall that the above mentioned Hotel had been where an airforce cadet had earlier in the week, —on Tuesday, lost his life due to ignorance.
The NAF Tarmac Four cadet, simply identified as CDT Chidiebere, had reportedly died on Tuesday in the hotel’s swimming pool that had been undergoing renovation.
The circumstances surrounding the death of the food and beverage manager, including the reports of torture by military personnel, raises grave concerns about the rule of law and the protection of the average citizen in Nigeria.
The reported threats and intimidation by Nigerian soldiers against the staff of Hotel Royal Damgrete following Mr. Etubi’s death are out of order and must be condemned by the Nigerian government.
In a bid to avoid accountability for Mr Etubi’s death, the Nigerian military has resorted to violence and intimidation towards the staff and owner of the hotel.
But the deceased’s family is not cowed as they have called out for justice, demanding for answers from the relevant authorities and seeking the general public’s help in amplifying this injustice.
Overall, the brutal killing of Mr. Etubi highlights the need for a total reform within the Nigerian military to address systemic issues of impunity, abuse of power, and lack of accountability.
Without bringing the guilty parties to book and holding them accountable, civilians remain vulnerable to violence and abuse at the hands of security forces, undermining the rule of law and eroding public trust in government institutions which is already commonplace in Nigeria.
