3rd November, 2023
strong>By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
A 27-year-old man, identified as Onyekachi Ugiri was allegedly shot dead during protests against plot to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital last Monday.
Ugiri was allegedly shot dead by bullets allegedly fired by the Police operatives to dispel protesters at the residence of the Rivers Assembly Speaker.
Ugiri’ mother, Callister told journalists that he has tried in vein to recover the remains of his son after one Chiwendu confirmed that he was shot and killed during the protest.
Callister is therefore seeking the help of Governor Fubara and Commissioner of Police Rivers State Command, CP Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka to find the body of her son.
In an interview with journalists, Mrs Ugiri said, “On Tuesday one boy, our neighbou, his name is Chiwedu came to the house to carry my son to go for protest in support of the Governor.
“At night after I waited and I did not see my son,I asked my daugther where her brother was. She told me that our neighbour, Chiwendu took him along for protest in support of the Governor.
“On Wednesday, Chiwendu came back again and told my daugther that he took my son to protest in support of the Governor and as police were shooting, bullet caught Onyekachi, my son, on the head.
He said my son ran and entered one building where he died. Chiwendu said he ran away, while others were arrested.
“I went to the old GRA Police station to search for his remains. They said I should go to Control room at headquarters. I went there. From there to State CID. They said he is not
there. I also went to BMH,( Braithwaite Memorial Hospital). I saw two persons with bullet wounds, but I did not see my Son.I went to Police Clinic where they said somebody with bullet wound was being treated. I did not see him there.
“This morning (Friday 3 November 2023) I saw video of my son’s dead body with blood all over. I am begging the Police to provide the dead body of my son whereever it is. I’m also calling on the Governor to come to my aid”.
It was difficult to confirm if the bullet allegedly fired to scare the protesters who were attempting to pull down the gate of the residence of Martin Amaewhule, the Speaker of the House of Assembly in GRA Port Harcourt hit Onyekachi Ugiri in the head as alleged.
As at the time of filing this report, the Spokesperson for the Rivers Police Command, SP Grace Iringe Koko has not responded to enquiries by journalists on the incident.
Our Correspondent reports that throughout the peak of the crisis,the Commissioner of Police, CP Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka was out of the State.
He wqs attending a conference of all the Commissioners of Police organized by the Force Headquarters,Abuja in Imo State.
Meanwhile, the CP Emeka is scheduled to brief journalists about the crisis that had engulfed the state arising from the bombing of the Chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex on Monday 30th October,2023.