*Warns pepertrators to desist from ungodly acts
By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
Officers of the Ebonyi State Police Command On Wednesday, 28th October 2020 mourns the gruesome killing of their colleagues who lost their lives in the hijacked end sars protest.
The command through the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Maku condemned the killing of policemen and innocent citizens and the burning of 5 Police Stations in Ebonyi state by hoodlums in the guise of #endsars protesters.
CP Maku lamented that the peaceful protests witnessed across the country was hijacked by criminal minded miscreants suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who invaded the state to unleash mayhem in the State.
In a statement made available to the press, signed by the commisioner of Police, CP Maku lamented that the crisis which erupted in the State on Wednesday, 21st October, 2020 claimed the lives of two Divisional Police Officer (DPOs) in the state, one of the deceased officer, Inspector Egu Omini was gruesomely murdered as the hoodlums cuts off his private part and snatched his AK-47 riffle, while the other officer, PC Paul Akpu sustained bullet injury and died while on admission at Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AE-FETHA).
According to him, on Monday at the Central Police station, Onuebonyi, the hoodlums invaded Central Police Station Abakaliki, shot sporadically at the Policemen and injured two policemen after the shooting.
CP Maku said, “The hoodlums proceeded to B Division, KpiriKpiri/C Division Ekumenyi (Eke-Abe Police Station) and set the two Stations on fire, after looting exhibit motorcycles, Plasma TVs, Fans and other valuables from the exhibit rooms.”
“The criminals also made an attempt to break and release inmate from Abakaliki Correctional Center, but the joint force of the Nigeria Police and other sister security agencies could not allow them access to the facility.” He said.
He decried that despite the launching of Community Policing by the Inspector-General of Police and the inauguration of the State committees by the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, aiming at bringing the Police closer to the public and the immediate action taken by the Executive Governor of the State towards tackling the demand made by END SARS protesters in Ebonyi State by setting up a Judicial Panel to investigate human right violations and victims, the protesters went ahead to destroy properties belonging to the State and federal governments.
CP Maku added, “The hoodlums resurfaced on 22nd of October, 2020 and set ablaze Ohaozara Divisional Headquarters and Okposi Police Station together with two patrol vehicles, three exhibit vehicles and the DPO’s car. The hoodlums also injured Inspr. Egun Omini attached to Ohaozara Division who is currently on admission in the hospital and he is in a critical condition.”
“They looted the two Police formations’ exhibit rooms and vandalized the newly built Okposi Divisional Headquarters which is yet to be commissioned.”
He revealed that following the security challenge , a joint Operation of Police, the military and other sister security agencies was immediately deployed to the scene of crimes and strategic points within the State, to avert further damages.
He revealed that six suspects who were arrested in connection with the case have been charged to court while others fled into thin air to evade arrest.
The suspects are Ogodo Echezona, Nwanikwo Ogbonna, Ukoro Leonard, Elom Joseph Onwe, Odo Sunday, Ituma Abel, while others are on the run.
The commissioner who was aggrieved with the situation stated that, “All the appeals, warnings and other professional efforts made by the Police to stop the hoodlums from further attack proved abortive as they regrouped in their large numbers on Monday 26th October, 2020 and reinvaded the Central Police Station Abakaliki for the second time, set the station on fire together with Police patrol vehicles, exhibit vehicles, tricycles/motorcycles and other police property seen within the station, shot sporadically at the Policemen, as a result gruesomely murdered one Inspr Egu Omini, cut off his private part and snatched his AK-47 riffle.”
“As if that was not enough, on Wednesday, 28th October, 2020 at about 4:00am, the hoodlums again stormed Ezza North Divisional Headquarters, vandalized the building, burnt two vehicles and Exhibit motorcycles. They shot and wounded one Inspr. Okewu Sunday and snatched his AK-47 riffle. The victim is currently is receiving treatment in the Hospital.”
CP Maku however warned every criminal minded individuals or group who would want to unleash terror in the state by disrupting the peace and tranquility enjoyed so far in the state, should desist from such heinuous act, as he will no longer fold his hand and watch the lives and properties of his men and other innocent citizens been wasted.
He revealed that he has organized a joint patrol in active collaboration with other sister security agencies as part of strategies to prevent further attack and breakdown of law and order in the State.
He called on everyone including traditional rulers, Town Union and Youth Presidents, Community and religious leaders to join hands with the Police to foretell peace in their various communities and assist in fishing out the perpetrators of this heinous crime.
