News
Confusion As Gunmen Kill Kwara CP …IG Vows To Arrest Killers
The Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, yesterday promised to do ‘everything’ possible to apprehend and bring to book the killers of Chinwike Asadu, Commissioner of Police in Kwara.
In an interview with newsmen in Abuja, CSP Frank Mba, the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, quoted the IG as saying that the circumstance surrounding the death of the late commissioner was ‘most unfortunate and saddening’.
“Those who murdered Asadu have murdered sleep, they will find no rest, they will find no peace, they will find no comfort and they will find no hiding place until they are brought to justice,” Mba quoted the IG as saying.
Mba said the IG had also ordered the commissioner of police in Enugu State to leave no stone unturned in arresting and bringing the perpetrators of the crime to justice.
He said Abubakar had also directed detectives from the Police Homicide Unit as well as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad to provide technical support to Enugu State command in efforts to apprehend the killers.
Asked if the police had made any arrest in connection with the crime, Mba said he could not confirm that.
Meanwhile, there was confusion in Enugu, the Coal City, as news spread yesterday morning that the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Chinweike Asadu was shot dead in the state capital by dare-devil gunmen.
The Police boss was killed at about 9.45pm last Saturday at gunpoint in his car at Amorji Nike, near the densely populated Abakpa Nike area in Enugu East Local Government Area within the state capital.
The orderly of the commissioner, MrAloha Olaiyi and driver, Mr Oliver Omeh escaped the attack but they sustained gunshot wounds and are reported to be in a critical state at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu.
Reports said that, Mr Asadu, who was on a visit to Enugu, his state of origin, had a visitor and he decided to escort the guest in his own vehicle with only his driver and orderly coming along with him.
While the trio were returning to the commissioner’s residence, they reportedly noticed a bus trailing their vehicle and as they veered into the street, the gunmen who must have laid an ambush for the commissioner a few metres away from his private residence, started firing at the vehicle from the rear.
It was during the sporadic shooting that the Asadu was killed on the spot while the police orderly posted to guard the CP’s residence from Abakpa Police Division, sustained bullet wound all over his body and his rifle taken away, before the gunmen escaped.
The official escort team that came with the Commissioner from Kwara State Police Command that were left behind in his compound, got wind of the attack but not until the gunmen had routed their escape.
They quickly rushed the commissioner and his aides who were in a pool of blood to the Orthopaedic Hospital but the police boss was confirmed dead at the hospital.
He reportedly gave up the ghost before arriving at the hospital.
His aides who were badly wounded were immediately admitted but they are in a critical state.
The Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Ebere Amaraizu has confirmed the incident, adding that “a serious man-hunt has started to track down the gunmen behind CP Asadu’s killing.”
However, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, yesterday promised to do ‘e
“Our correspondent who went round Ilorin, yesterday, reports that the command and other police formations were like ghost towns.
At the command and other formations visited by newsmen, officers and men were seen discussing the demise of the police chief.
Some top police officers in some of the formations and officers’ mess were in tears while others were too dazed to utter a word.
Some of the officers, who spoke to newsmen but refused to give their names, described the death of the commissioner as ‘a big tragedy’ to the command and the entire police force
“We have lost a fine gentleman and hardworking officer,’’ they said.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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