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Police Unmask PDP Chairman’s Killers In Rivers …Launch Manhunt For Trigger Happy Officer
Detectives of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit in Rivers State have arrested the killers of the Ward Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Ogbogoro community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, late Mr Heaven-Ogbogbo Ihuigwe.
Late Ihuigwe was allegedly murdered on September 16, 2017, at about 19:45hours in cold blood and dumped in a cassava farm in Rumuekini community near Choba.
However, shortly after getting the report, the IGP Monitoring Team led by ACP Benneth Igweh, quickly swung into action to ensure that perpetrators of the inhuman act were arrested and brought to justice.
Addressing journalists at the state Police Command Headquarters, yesterday, to showcase the recent achievements recorded by men of the IGP Monitoring Unit, Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of Administration, Cyril Okoro told journalists that following a tip-off, men of the IGP Monitoring Unit arrested one Ifeanyi Okoro (m) residing at Omagwa community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.
Okoro disclosed that the arrest of Ifeanyi and his further interrogation and subsequent confession led to the arrest of Ajade Niyi, Austin Isotec, Chief Joseph Iwuoku (aka Uduakonmiri) and Clement Yusuf, who were other accomplices in the killing of the late party chairman.
He added that efforts were being made to arrest one Yaye, whom he said, was still at large.
According to him, all the arrested suspects have confessed to have taken part in the murder of the politician, adding that one Black Toyota Highlander, the deceased Gionee M5 phone and originals of land documents were items recovered from them.
The DCP also said that on February 2, 2018, one Okonkwo Ikenna Micheal of Elelenwo Street, Rumuodumanya at about 20:20 hours along the Elele-Omerelu-Owerri Road while returning from Anambra State was kidnapped by five unidentified gunmen but quickly added that the men of IGP Monitoring Unit while doing a follow up on the incident, arrested one Anthony Nnamdi Omereji, alias Tompolo.
According to him, Tompolo confessed that he had received the sum of N2million from the family of the victim as ransom, and that the sum of N250,000 was left with him upon arrest.
He averred that the suspect had confessed to be the leader of the dreaded and notorious criminal gang responsible for the several kidnap and armed robbery activities on the Port Harcourt-Owerre Road, adding efforts were being intensified to arrest the other gang members.
Okoro also told journalists that on February 16, 2018, operatives of the IGP Monitoring Unit led by ACP Benneth Igweh, acting on credible intelligence, arrested three suspects, Nkechi Uzoemene, Roseline Okey and Nwolu Rita, all females who allegedly conspired to be involved in child trafficking.
He stated that the suspects conspired amongst themselves and sold a two-month old baby boy belonging to Nwolu Rita at the sum of N300,000 without the consent of her husband, one Uche Duru.
“The child was sold to one Ngozi Egeonu in Owerri in Imo State. On the execution of search in the house and premises of the buyer (Ngozi Egeonu), operatives recovered nine pregnant girls whose pregnancies have been mortgaged.
“Further investigation led to the recovery of the two-month old baby boy at No. 24, Egbelu Street, Rumuodara in Port Harcourt, where the duo of Ugo Amarachi ‘f’ and Benjamin Amuobichukwu were arrested”, he added.
Okoro said all the suspects would be charged to court after investigations in their matters had been concluded even as he lauded members of the public for their sustained support and cooperation, and promised that the police will do more to make the state safe and secure.
Speaking to journalists, the wife of the slain PDP Ward Chairman, Mrs Salome Heaven-Ogbogbo Ihuigwe and Rivers State House of Assembly member in the area, Hon Michael Chinda lauded the efforts of the police in arresting those responsible for the killing of their kinsman.
They urged the police to ensure that justice was done in the matter.
Our correspondent reports that over 18 persons were paraded to newsmen during the briefing.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has launched manhunt for a mobile police officer, who shot and killed a commercial taxi driver at the Rumuokoro Roundabout in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, who confirmed the incident in Port Harcourt, last Monday, however, denied knowledge of the whereabouts of the mobile police officer.
While responding to reporters’ questions on the whereabouts of the officer and what the police high command was doing to ensure justice for the victim of the careless shooting, Omoni said “The perpetrator of that dastardly act will be put to justice, the deceased deserves justice, and he must be given justice. It will only take some time, but I know at the end of the day, we will get to the boy.
“Right now, like I said yesterday (Sunday), he is a visiting mobile police officer, but we are getting some clues about his identity and where he is serving. So, in no time, we will get him apprehended, and he will face justice,” Omoni added.
Meanwhile, the wife of the deceased taxi driver, Mrs Precious Kelechi has demanded that justice must take its course over the death of her husband.
“It is unbelievable, I am still dreaming. I want to see the corpse of my husband. It is like a dream, I am yet to believe it’s real. I want to see the man that has kept me in this position. I want to see his face. I want him to be prosecuted. He is now on the run. The police should produce him to face the law,” she added.
It would be recalled that there was commotion in Rumuokoro in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, last Sunday, after a policeman allegedly killed a taxi driver, identified only as Bright.
A police team, which arrived shortly after the incident, cordoned off the scene to forestall break down of law and order in the area.
The Tide learnt that the cops shot continuously into the air to disperse a mob protesting against the killing.
It was gathered that the policeman, who fired the shot that killed the taxi driver, was escorting a vehicle conveying frozen chicken and fish to an unknown destination.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana & Reliance Ezimora
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.