On Thursday, Asaba, Delta State’s capital, was tense following the alleged killing of a middle-aged businessman by a police officer after the deceased allegedly refused to give him a bribe of $100 at a checkpoint.
The slaying sparked widespread outrage in the capital city, with residents condemning the officer’s heinous actions. The deceased, named as Ibe Emmanuel Onyeka, was shot in the Asaba neighborhood of Ugbolu.
The late Onyeka, who was in his early twenties, was a phone dealer at Asaba’s famous Ogbogonogo Market.
Angry at the development, the market youths who took the body from the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Asaba, marched to the Police headquarters, demanding justice.
“We were at the security council meeting this afternoon when we received a distressed call to the effect that an inspector of Police attached to Area Command here in Asaba was alleged to have shot and killed an innocent member of the public, one Ibe Emmanuel Onyeka,” said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Ari Mohammed Ali.
“I was at a state security council meeting when the incident occurred, and due to the seriousness of the incident, we had to adjourn the meeting quickly.” When I arrived at the command center, there was a massive throng of young boys and girls protesting the death of an innocent civilian.
“I want to state unequivocally that this command will not accept it, nor do I condone it, and the force hierarchy will never support such a heinous situation,” said the inspector, who was arrested alongside other members of the team.
“As a discipline organization, we have our own internal discipline mechanism, and to be clear, he would be tried summarily, dismissed, and then prosecuted to face justice.” I want to reassure the people that justice will be done and served. We cannot condone it, and no one here would accept it.”
“This afternoon, we embarked on township patrol on Illah road where we were doing stop and search,” said the suspect, Inspector Obi Ebri of Area Command Asaba. I heard a voice from about 10 to 15 kilometers away saying, “Hold him, hold him.” Before I could turn, the young man ruffled rifle noozle and said, “I’ll kill you and take your rifle.”
“My belt entered the trigger and fired before I could turn to drag it with him.” It wasn’t on purpose; if he hadn’t handled the noozle, I wouldn’t have followed him. After that, I have to report to my workplace. Nobody asked him for money, but he refused to halt for a check. We were a group of five. I’m very sorry because this was not on purpose.”
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