Human rights group says never again for Killing of Policemen in Aba

From Everest Ezihe, Owerri

Worried by incessant killing of security men on duty especially police men by hoodlums and unknown gunmen, a human rights group unde the auspices of Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development, FENRAD,has condemned in toto the recent killing of two policemen at the ever busy old Express Road and Samek Junction, Ariaria market in Aba, Abia State.

FENRAD which is also an Aba based pro-democracy and environmental rights advocacy stated this in a press statement endorsed by her Executive Director, Mr. Nelson Nnanna Nwafor and made available media houses in Owerri including The Authority, observed that the two murdered policemen were part of the security details attached to the State Commissioner for Investment.

The group expressed disenchantment that this is not the first in recent times security agents are being brutally murdered along Ariaria International Market and its environ and their guns carted away.

The Foundation commiserates with the bereaved families and passionately advised for immediate payment of compensation to their next of kin, while canvassing for proper and thorough investigations into the killings.

They insisted on the need to ask pertinent questions and answers equally provided, for instance, why was the commissioner attacked? Who are those that masterminded the deadly attack ? And if they are still at large, how can they be arrested, detained and prosecuted ? The foundation believes that these are serious questions begging for urgent answers.

Having stated this, the Foundation considers as sad, regrettable and clannish the reprisal attacks allegedly carried out by some personnel of the Force leading to panic among traders, residents and passersby. In the wee small hours of Wednesday, July 26, 2023, gunshots released sporadically into the air, threw Umuode, Faulk’s Road, Okigwe Road and adjoining streets into unnecessary anxiety and stampede as people woke up to staccato outbursts of gunfire in their neighbourhood.

This he observed made them to remain indoors for two days, lamenting that there are instances policemen were alleged to have destroyed vehicles (both cars and tricycles) as well as commandeering people’s goods and properties to their selfish abode.

Nwafor described this as unwelcome development and extremely inappropriate especially when considered within the context of rules of engagement.

“Scarring away and stampeding of business owners and residents could escalate the situation further; this is to no one’s benefit” he noted.

The Executive Director further decried the incident that happened on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 in which a detachment of the Police’ Rapid Response Squad (RRS) was seen at Brass Junction, ABA, Abia State where they barricaded all access roads to metropolitan International Ariaria Market.

Nwafor nostalgically recalled that for three days within the period, that, businesses and social activities suffered seriously couples with the excruciating economy of the nation.

The Human rights social crusader, pointed out that his Foundation believes life is too precious to be equated with ordinary wares and merchandise, but taking the law into one’s own hands as being done by most Security agents has never led to a win-win outcome, insisting.tha such ugly trend can only widen the already existing lack of confidence between the police and the general publics.

The activist applauded Chief Alex Oti, the executive governor of Abia State for his timely intervention, following which he said calm is gradually returning to the commercial hub of South East, Nigeria enjoining the State Government on the need to build mutual relationship by helping to work out a new, healthy and robust police-community relations.

According to him,” a multi-stakeholder dialogue is needed now to reset the policing standard in Aba. Resort to kinetic approach has never boosted civil-police relations nor enhanced mutual understanding, rather it has always had a lethal outcome” Nwafor observed.

The FENRAD boss further commended Governor Oti for his timely visit to the market for assessment of the whole situation and calls on the Governor to look into this matter, so as to find a lasting and amicable way of resolving the issue (s) advising on the need to institute a mutual collaborative partnership between the police, the public and the government.

Mr. Nnanna Nwafor, the CEO of FENRAD