By John Oba
Abuja
Weeks after President Goodluck Jonathan promised that the federal government would grant automatic employment at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for three members of the deceased families of the NIS stampede and free treatment for those that sustained injuries, the promises are yet to be fulfilled.
This is even as groups have insisted on the sack or voluntary resignation of the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, over the stampede that claimed at least 20 lives.
A coalition of Civil Society Organisations led by the Say No Campaign, Centre for Democracy and Development, Berekete Family Radio and Open Society Initiative for West Africa in a joint press briefing after its citizens public hearing on the stampede, said its investigations showed that the promises were not backed up with official letters as most victims were meant to be treated in most hospitals were left unattended to.
Speaking on behalf of others, Comrade Samson Itodo, said priority was given to victims who were taken to the National Hospital, Abuja, while those taken to other hospitals where like Asokoro General Hospital, Gwagwalada Hospital and some private hospitals were left to wallow in anguish and pain.
He said some victims had decided to take the government to court, while the group will provide legal assistant.
He said the management of national hospital and the NIS confirmed that the directive for free medical treatment only covered those taken to the national hospital.
He said: “Till date, no one has been held accountable or prosecute for murder of innocent citizens. The president has consistently ignored calls to sack Comrade Abba Moro who is deemed to be spearheaded the shambolic exercise.
“We also call on the applicant and Nigerians to give us all necessary support as we being public interest litigation on behalf of the deceased family, injured applicants and others who paid the sum of N1, 000 in purchase of immigration form.”
