From Steve Oko, Umuahia
The Abia State Government has vowed to ensure that a petrol attendant, Chibuisi Okameme, allegedly killed by over zealous police man enforcing the coronavirus lockdown gets justice.
The government’s action is coming three days after The AUTHORITY newspapers reported about the barbaric incident following a protest by a civil society group, Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD).
FENRAD, had in a joint statement by its
Executive Director , Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor; and its Legal Adviser, Olusegun Bamgbose, demanded the speedy investigation of police extra-judicial killing in Abia, and the immediate prosecution of the killer cop.
The victim, according to FENRAD, was shot at Ururuka Road Aba, by one Inspector Stanley of Ohuru Isimiri Police Station ,Ogbor Hill Aba.
Meanwhile, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, has expressed sadness over the barbaric incident, and vowed to ensure the the culprit was made to face the full wrath of the law.
Ikpeazu in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka, restated his unwavering belief in the sanctity of human lives, saying he wouldn’t tolerate the the killing of Abians or residents of the state without any justifiable cause.
Ikpeazu promised to work with the police authorities to ensure the culprit was brought to book.
The statement read in part :”The Governor who expressed deep sadness over the unfortunate killing of a Petrol Attendant, Late Mr. Chiuisi Okameme by a Police Officer attached to the Ohuru Isimiri Police Station few days ago, made it clear that the Abia State Government will work with the Police Authorities in the State to ensure that justice is served in this case.
“Recalling a similar case where an Army Officer shot and killed a motorcycle operator last year, the Governor stated that the same zeal applied by the State Government in pursuing justice then which led to the dismissal of the Army Officer and his current prosecution for murder will be applied to this particular case.”
The statement said that the Governor had already directed his Adviser on Homeland Security to work closely with the State Police Command “to ensure that all known protocols for dealing with cases like this within the Police are followed to the letter.”
Ikpeazu, however, according to the statement, expressed satisfaction that the killer cop had been arrested by the Police Authorities in the State, and demanded a thorough investigation “and the application of all known legal procedures in the handling of the matter, including the prosecution of the officer. ”
The Governor appealed to personnel of different security outfits in the State to exercise utmost discretion in the handling of firearms when dealing with members of the public.
Reminding security officers that their primary responsibility is to protect the people, Ikpeazu said that his administration “shall be very relentless in the pursuit of justice whenever any Abian is injured or killed unjustifiably by the recklessness of any security personnel.”
The Governor consoled with the family of the deceased and the organization he worked for, Greenmac Nigeria Limited, assuring them that the state government would not abandon them.
