From Steve Oko, Umuahia
Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), has demanded the speedy investigation of police extra-judicial killing in Abia, and the immediate prosecution of the killer cop.
FENRAD also strongly condemned the act which it described as “barbaric and animalistic.”
The victim simply identified as Chibuisi, according to a press release jointly by the Executive Director of the group, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor; and its Legal Adviser, Olusegun Bamgbose, was shot at Ururuka Road Aba, by one Inspector Stanley of Ohuru Isimiri Police Station ,Ogbor Hill Aba.
The tragic event occurred at the beginning of the ongoing lockdown ordered by the State Government last week.
FENRAD wondered why security operatives would always turn their gun nuzzle againsts innocent citizens they are employed to protect while criminals roam about the streets untouched most times.
” This shooting is inconsistent with the operational guideline by the Inspector General of Police before the lockdown was announced”, FENRAD said, adding that such “violates and infringes the fundamental rights of the human life “.
The release further read : “At peace time, when the only war facing humanity is a pandemic, a police inspector releases a bullet at an unarmed civilian.
“At what point of extremity is a trained, disciplined officer required to engage the trigger other than at war time? Such can only come from a trigger-happy fellow.
” It is FENRAD’s demand that, if found guilty, the said Inspector Stanley should be publicly tried and dealt with according to the law. ”
FENRAD also condemned the brutality of security operatives against Aba residents under the guise of enforcing the ongoing lockdown order by the state government.
” This brutality and maximum show of naked force did not start with this lockdown period.
” Only last year, men of the police while avenging for the killing of an officer, along Okojumbo, Ibadan street axis in Aba, raided and razed houses whereupon monies, valuables and chattels were lost to an incendiary attack.
“FENRAD urges the state government to make known its committee’s report on the said incident”.
The rights group, therefore, called on the state government to ensure the victim gets justice while the suspect is made to face the consequences of his action.
“We urge the state government under the Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, to, as a matter of urgency, look into this latest issue and ensure that justice is done just like when an army officer, Lance Cpl Ajayi Johnson shot a tricycle operator, Mr. Chimaobi Nwaogwu at point blank, killing him for N100 bribe.”
