By Charles Akpeji

The victims of police brutality in Taraba State and their solicitors have called on Governor Darius Ishaku and National Economic Council (NEC) to intervene in the delay to pay them compensation.

They alleged that the Taraba government was foot-dragging in facilitating the submission of the Christopher Awubra-led panel report on police brutality.

In separate petitions, the victims and their lawyers took their grievances to the NEC headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Copies of the petitions were made available to The Guardian yesterday.

The 47 victims, in their jointly signed petition, stated: “We are compelled to communicate to your esteemed office directly concerning our plight as victims because, from all indications, the state government is unwilling to give the panel the needed financial support to make the report ready for onward submission to the NEC, which you are the chairman.”

On their part, the solicitors said: “Our clients are in the horn of a dilemma regarding the compensation due to them, despite the conclusion of the panel’s sitting for more than two months.”

The solicitors, who also cited the Vice President’s directives to the governor, added: “This is particularly worrisome because most states of the federation have submitted theirs, while some have even commenced payment of compensation to the victims.” However, the delay in the compensation payment is brewing tension in the state.