The Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has set up a panel inquiry to look into the extra-judicial activities by some security agents in Aba.
This is following an illegal activities of the men of the Nigerian Police Officers from Ndiegoro Police Division who were retaliating over the death of their colleague who was killed by some suspected cultists on Friday.
There were however, two angles to the story. One had it that the fracas that led to the death of the police officer popularly known as Alhaji on Friday came after a misunderstanding between police and some drug cartel at Ndiegoro over bribe(title) they usually pay to do their illicit business.
Another angle had it that the police officers who usually extort money from innocent residents at Degema by Okojombo met a wrong group who gave them a serious fight before one of the officers and a civilian who is their driver was killed.
Our reporter who visited the area gathered that several buildings in four streets; Okojombo, Anaba, Degema and Umuosi in Ndiegoro axis were set ablaze by police officers. Another visit to the scenes, was that of anxiety and suspicion as residents whose properties and means of livelihoods were destroyed crowded the streets in tears and pains.
Reacting to this, Gov Ikpeazu directed the immediate setting up of a panel of inquiry to look into the remote and immediate causes of the reported incidents as well as determine those involved with a view to bringing them to justice.
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A statement by the Abia State commissioner for information said “The panel is also to establish and evaluate properties lost as a result of the alleged extra-judicial action.
Members of the panel are as follows:
1. Chief (Dr) Ukpai Agwu Ukpai (Chairman)
2. Mr Sopuruchi Ernest Beke (SOP) (Member)
3. HRH Eze Sunday Emejiaka (Member)
4. Dr NCNC Okoli (Member)
5. Rev. (Dr) Ogboso Ejindu (Secretary)
The statement further noted that the panel has two weeks to turn in its report to the Governor and this is without prejudice to the ongoing police investigations on the matter which will primarily determine criminal culpability
“Law abiding members of the public are urged to go about their normal businesses without fear of further molestation as the government is fully on top of the situation”, the statement reads.
