Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has assured Nigerians that those found culpable in the alleged killing of two workers in Nasarawa State will be brought to justice.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Officer of the commission, Fatimah Mohammed, in Abuja on Friday.

The commission said that it would also ensure that appropriate compensation was given to the families of the slain persons as well as the injured ones.

The police alleged shot and killed two striking workers, who participated in the protest of the proposed slash in their salaries by Gov. Tanko Al-Makura.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Ayuba Wabba, had sent a petition to NHRC over the alleged killing of two workers by the police.

Wabba had urged the commission to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book.

In the petition, Wabba demanded for a fair and just investigation of the alleged incident with a view to meting out appropriate punishment to whoever gave the order for the shooting and those who did the shooting.

A team led by the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe, visited the governor as part of its investigation process.

Al-Makura, who received the team, described the incident which led to the death of the workers as unfortunate.

He said he was dialoguing with labour leaders on the proposed salary reduction, when information filtered in that some people had been shot by the police.

The governor claimed that hoodlums hijacked the peaceful protest which led to the faceoff between them and the police and consequently the death of the two people.

The team also visited the Commissioner of Police, Mr Abubakar Bello, who presented a formal statement on the matter to the commission.

Angwe appealed the police not to harass or intimidate the workers as the commission had stepped into the matter.

He acknowledged that the policemen share similar responsibilities with the commission as human rights defenders and as such, should discharge their duties in line with acceptable norms.(NAN)