8th August, 2015
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Commercial buses drivers in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital went on protest following the killing of one of their members by a trigger-happy policeman at the Wimpy Junction, Ikwerre Road in Port Harcourt on Friday, August 7.
The protests which started from Wimpy Junction continued through Rumuola, Mile One, Mile Two and came to an end at Rumuokoro roundabout in Obio-Akpor local government area. The protesting bus drivers set up blockades causing traffic gridlock along the busy East/West road.
Motor park touts and suspected cultists joined in the rampage smashing both commercial and private vehicles. They also forced their colleagues who were going about their business to abandoned their business, leaving passengers stranded at various bus stops.
It took the intervention armed policemen who fired teargas canisters and live bullets to restore sanity in the oil-rich capital.
In a swift reaction to the ugly incident, the Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, condemned the action of the unnamed mobile man policeman and promised that he will be brought to book.
The Rivers Police boss revealed that on August 7 at about 12:20 at Whimpy Junction a policeman, Sergeant James Imhalu, on Stop and Search duty shot and killed one David Legbaraa, 37, who was a bus driver in clearly unacceptable and avoidable circumstance.
According to police boss his action sparked off spontaneous protest from drivers, sympathizers and indeed members of the public who rightly saw the action of the policeman as unjustifiable. The protest spilled to major highways and caused traffic dislocation and pains to members of the public.
“The policeman was promptly disarmed, arrested and detained while I ordered full scale investigation into the circumstances and ramifications of this painful incident.
“I sympathize and condole with the family of the deceased for the loss of their loved one. I condemn in unmistakeable terms the action of the policeman as preliminary facts revealed his action was clearly avoidable. However, I shall await the outcome of full investigation as already ordered before any conclusive action is taken.
“The Inspector-General of Police is fully briefed but is saddened by the action of the personnel and has ordered that he be charged to court on conclusion of investigation.
He said the protests yesterday and today appear to have been hijacked by hoodlums and cultists as entreaties for peace fell on deaf ears.
“Two wrongs cannot make a right. I therefore appeal to the deceased family, the National Union of Road Transport Workers, drivers union and indeed parents and guardians to calm frayed nerves and allow peace to reign. We shall ensure that justice is done to this matter.
Ezike assured the shall also continue to monitor this situation and place adequate security to ensure a safe, secure and better Port Harcourt City.