The father of 19-year-old Peter Onminyi, who was allegedly killed by men of the Operation Zenda unit of the Benue State Police Command, has called for justice.
The young man was reported to have been killed in the presence of his family members on May 19, 2024, at about 8 p.m.
He was said to have been with his siblings and father when some policemen reportedly invaded their residence at Welfare Quarters, Makurdi, and shot him.
The policemen were said to have taken his corpse and some property from the house since May.
The father of the deceased, Joseph Onminyi, who spoke to newsmen in Makurdi on Wednesday, alleged that some policemen stormed their residence, shot the young man to death, and took his body away.
Pa Onminyi, who cried for justice, demanded the immediate release of his son’s body for a decent burial according to Idoma traditional rites and customs.
He also demanded the immediate release of items taken from their house and called for access to their home, as they had been traumatised and were tired of sleeping outside.
Pa Onminyi, a retired civil servant, said that up until now, he has not been informed of any offence his son committed that would warrant his killing by policemen in the presence of his family.
He said, “I am Mr. Joseph Onminyi, the father of the deceased, late Peter Onminyi, whom the police shot to death on May 19, 2024, in my own house, not even outside.
“No reason was given by the police for their actions. They didn’t ask or tell anybody about the offence he committed; rather, they just killed him while he was eating at the dining table.
“The police did not approach me, the father of the boy, or ask any of my children seated with me in the room what offence my son had committed. They just jumped through the fence of my house, and after entering, they started shooting sporadically and also shot at one of my sons, who was eating at the dining table.
“Not only that, after shooting him, they took him away and evacuated all the household items, including a radio, refrigerator, washing machine, gas cooker, gas cylinder, two motorcycles, and everything else in the house.
“I think this action could be seen and called armed robbery because they came unannounced, and nobody was informed of what they came for. Whether they came to check anything or investigate anyone, they didn’t say anything; rather, they shot and killed my innocent child.
“After killing him, the police still took his body away to an unknown destination. Up until this moment, I don’t know where my son’s lifeless body is. Not only that, the police still shut down my house.
“They locked the entrance gate to my house, and my house has been under lock and key since the incident happened in May this year.
“My family and I have been sleeping outside our comfortable home and in an uncompleted building. I therefore cry to the country, Nigeria, and the whole world at large to come to my aid and address the police brutality against innocent citizens.”
While stating that he had instituted a case of human rights violations against the police, the deceased’s father accused the police of delaying the case in court.
“They have refused to appear in court, which means that the police consider themselves above the law and believe they do not have to appear in the law court.”
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the State Command, SP Catherine Anene, said it was a case involving someone involved in kidnapping and armed robbery.
According to her, “I am aware of the case that involved a boy who was into kidnapping. I think the police went there for an arrest, and in the process, one of the boys started exchanging gunfire with the police, and in the process, he was killed.
“However, I am not sure of the name, but I will still get back to you. This happened around the Welfare Quarters in the Makurdi area.”
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