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By Godswill Michael
The International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights (ISSJHR) has called for an urgent probe into the alleged involvement of Nigerian Air Force personnel in the death of Mr. Promise Moses in Rumuokwurusi, Rivers State.
In a press release signed by its Chancellor, Jackson Omenaza and shared with Pointblannews.com on Tuesday, the group urged the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, to “immediately institute a comprehensive and independent inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Promise Moses.”
ISSJHR said the deceased, a tricycle operator, was “a law-abiding citizen… striving to earn a legitimate livelihood,” describing his death as troubling and indicative of deeper concerns about military conduct in civilian areas.
The group noted that the incident, which occurred in the Rumuokwurusi axis of Oil Mill Market, has intensified scrutiny of what it described as the unchecked activities of Air Force personnel within the community.
At the centre of the controversy is a facility known locally as the “Airforce Market,” which ISSJHR said lacks any legal foundation. According to the group, “The so-called ‘Airforce Market’ in Rumuokwurusi has no known legal or official establishment framework, and its existence within a civilian environment contradicts standard military operational norms.”
Residents, it added, have for over three years complained of “Harassment and intimidation by Air Force personnel,” “Unlawful interference in civil disputes,” and “Abuse of authority in a purely civilian jurisdiction.”
ISSJHR stressed that such actions fall outside the legal mandate of the military, noting: “At no point does the law authorize: The establishment of commercial markets by military personnel in civilian communities without lawful approval; The assumption of civil dispute resolution roles by armed officers outside recognized legal frameworks; The intimidation or domination of civilians under the guise of military presence.”
The group warned that “This troubling pattern has now culminated in the loss of innocent life, an outcome that is both unacceptable and condemnable.”
Demands
ISSJHR demanded “Immediate institution of an independent judicial inquest into the killing of Mr. Promise Moses,” alongside the “Identification and prosecution of all officers found culpable in accordance with the law.”
It also called for “Full compensation to the family of the deceased for this irreparable loss” and the “Immediate relocation or dismantling of the said market from the civilian community.”
The group pressed for “Public disclosure of the legal basis (if any) for the establishment and operation of the so-called Airforce Market in Rumuokwurusi.”
Warning against what it described as creeping militarisation of civilian life, ISSJHR declared: “Nigeria is not under military rule.”
“The Armed Forces must operate strictly within the bounds of constitutional democracy and the rule of law. Any deviation from this principle erodes public trust, undermines civil authority, and endangers innocent lives,” the statement added.
Insisting that justice must be served, the group added, “The people of Rumuokwurusi have endured enough… Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.”