An Imo citizen from Amucha in Njaba Local Government Area who was on his way to attend a wedding reception at Owerri was allegedly gunned down by policeman on stop and search duty at Nworieubi Mbaitoli local government along Orlu Owerri road on Saturday December 5.
The deceased victim, Mr. Jude Oguzie an Owerri based business man was on his way to Owerri from village where he had visited to see his aged mother to attend a wedding ceremony when a happy trigger cop fired at the young man who was driving in his Toyota Camry car on the claim that he failed to stop when he was stopped by the men in uniform.
The team of policemen on the realization that they had killed the man were alleged to have fled from the scene as it was good spirited passers-by that carried the victim to Owerri Federal Medical Centre where doctors pronounced him dead.
When contacted the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) for Imo State, SP Orland Ikeokwu confirmed the incident and revealed that three officers had been identified, arrested over the incident and are in police custody.
He said that Imo State police command has condemned the killing of one Jude Oguzie by operatives attached to the command on December 5, along the Njaba/Owerri road.
“The Commissioner of Police, Isaac Akinmoyede, wondered why the officers refused to adhere to rules guiding the use of firearms.
“He, therefore, ordered an investigation into the matter, with a view to unraveling the cause of the incident. The officers involved have however been identified, arrested, and are presently in custody.
“The CP while sympathizing with the family of the deceased, urged them to remain calm, as the Command will do everything possible to ensure that justice is done.
“The Command regrets the killing of the deceased under any guise especially now that the force is doing everything within its powers to put an end to incidents of brutality and incivility to members of the public”.
Meanwhile the suspended EndSARS protests by youths that latter went wild and violent resumed yesterday in various parts of the country including Lekki in Lagos State, Abuja federal capital territory and other states inspite of an appeal from the Presidency as signed by Femi Adesina the Special Assistant to the president on media.
