Anambra police shooting: Rights group demands justice for victims

A Civil Society Organisation, Behind Bars Human Right Defenders (BBHRD), has advised the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Mr. Garba Umar, to ensure justice for the family of the recent police killing in the state.

The group made this call on Thursday during a protest in Awka, where it made a case for the victim, Mr. Nonso Onyeme, who was allegedly shot on Aug. 7 by a police officer while on patrol alongside nine others.

The protesters carried placards with varying inscriptions including ‘Human Live is Worth More than N100’, ‘Police Stop the Extortions’, ‘We Demand Justice for Nonso Onyeme’ among others.

Mr. Harrison Gwamnishu, the Director General of the group, who read their petition to newsmen, condemned the ‘dastardly murder’ of Onyeme and attempted murder of one Chigozie Okoye.

The petition was entitled: “A Case of Murder, Attempted Murder, Conduct Likely to Cause Breach of Peace by Emereghene Benaro and nine other Police Officers, Metro Police Patrol Awka”.

It said that the officers shot sporadically to disperse the crowd after the victims were hit and left to bleed to death.

The group lamented that it was more painful that the deceased, who was in his early 30s, was an orphan and had a child of about one year old.

“We wish to register our displeasure with the dastardly murder of Nonso, a businessman from Odidiama Village, Agulu in Anaocha LGA, Anambra and attempted murder of Chigozie Okoye.

“The shooting took place at Agulu-Awka road, near WAEC office at about 1 p.m. on Aug. 7 by 10 policemen led by Emereghene Benaro, attached to Metro Police Patrol Awka, Anambra Command,” he said.

The protesters, who submitted their protest letter at the state police command headquarters, called on the commissioner to arrest and transparently prosecute the culprits as well as order the dismantling of all illegal checkpoints in the state.

They also said the police should take the responsibility of catering for the needs of the deceased family to reduce their trauma and as a show of sincere remorse.

“We demand the closure of illegal checkpoints in Anambra, we demand an end to extortion by men of the police, and we say no more to further careless killing of Nigerians.

“It is worrisome that about 24 hours after the gruesome murder, the affected officers are yet to be arrested and your command is yet to make any official statement, no visit to the family.

“We demand a detailed investigation of this ugly incident and insist that the police produce all the culprits involved; these reckless behaviours by the police officers can portray Nigeria as a lawless nation,” he said.

Receiving the petition on behalf of the CP, Mr Chris Owolabi, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration, expressed deep condolences with the family of Onyeme.

Owolabi said the officers involved in the incident had been arrested and was being investigated.

He promised that the matter would be thoroughly investigated and assured that justice would be done.

“On behalf of the Anambra Police Command and the CP, I wish to express our sincere condolences with the family and community of the deceased; police do not go out to kill but to protect.

“We will investigate this matter to the core; the officers involved are already in detention and undergoing investigation, the police authority is an accountable and responsible institution.

“The issues raised in this petition are important; we will act on them, we are already addressing them and a meeting has been arranged between us and the family.

“We will let the public know the outcome of our investigation,” he said.