The former Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has described the alleged daylight brutal murder of Emmanuel Micheal Okocha (Emma Noko) by a police officer in Aba on Saturday as ‘primitive and most unconscionable’.
Abaribe, who represents Abia South in the Senate, accordingly urged the Inspector General of Police to rein in the officers involved and for the government to set up a Judicial Panel of Enquiry to look into the killing and others before this, among other heinous criminal complaints against the Police command in Aba in particular.
Senator Abaribe, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Uchenna Awom, in Abuja on Sunday, said the gruesome cold-blooded murder of Mr. Okocha by the trigger-happy policeman on the allegation that he refused to give the said police officer money, is not only disgraceful but also a serious blight on the image of the Nigeria Police, and one that is unacceptable and condemnable by all.
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The lawmaker nonetheless appealed for calm, but reminded the authorities that the current sad development represents the low side of the proliferation of checkpoints in the South East, such that it looks as if they are ‘buying and selling points’, rather than for security purposes.
“These frequent killings by law enforcement officers are becoming alarming and worrisome. People now live in fear in their own country. Our people become more terrified of the police rather than being confident in their presence on the roads.
“That should not be the case. This is a country governed by laws, and the officers must observe the rules of engagement while dealing with the civil populace. The brutal murder of Mr. Okocha is one too many, particularly in Aba and its environs by the police.
“To assuage the fears of the people, the policeman who allegedly shot and killed Okocha, thus leaving his young family without a breadwinner, must be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“And for other associated similar occurrences, I urge the government to set up a Judicial Panel of Enquiry to carry out a holistic inquest with the aim of nipping these ugly events in the bud,” Abaribe said.
However, Senator Abaribe extends his condolences to the bereaved family, his community, and the people of Abia State.
Meanwhile, the Abia State Police Command says it is aware of trending online news regarding the incident resulting in the death of one Mr. Emmanuel Okocha, shot by a police officer.
In a statement by the PPRO, ASP Maureen Chinaka, on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, Kenechukwu Onwumelie, the Command said, “Preliminary Inquiries into the matter reveal that a Police Corporal Obagi Njok, attached to Abayi Police Division under Abia State Police Command shot at Mr. Emmanuel Okocha along Aba-Owerri Road.
“The officer has been apprehended, and necessary disciplinary procedures have been initiated. Appropriate disciplinary actions and sanctions will be effected soonest, and he will face the full course of appropriate administrative and legal consequences. In this regard, representatives of the bereaved family and stakeholders will be carried along as the proceedings progress.
“The Abia State Police Command states without prevarication that the incident is unfortunate and regrettable. The Command uses this medium to publicly commiserate with the family, friends, and well-wishers of the deceased.
“The Abia State Police Command remains steadfast in upholding professionalism and the rule of law. We unequivocally condemn any act of misconduct, unprofessionalism, and indiscipline among our officers.”
A Police Officer from the Rapid Response Squad of the Nigerian Police Force had Wednesday, shot and killed the Abiriba-born businessman Mr. Emmanuel Michael Okocha along MCC Road, Abayi, Aba for allegedly refusing to give them a bribe despite the fact that his vehicle license was complete.
According to the deceased late father’s apprentice who was sitting next to him in the car, they were returning to Aba from Abiriba, and on approaching Abayi Girl’s Secondary School area, a team of Police Officers stopped them and demanded the car documents as well as the driver’s license of Mr. Emmanuel Michael Okocha, which he quickly gave to them.
According to the eyewitness, “After the check, the Police Officer returned the documents back to him and started demanding for a tip (roja). The late Emmanuel replied to the Officer that he had nothing to give him after wasting his time.” At this point, the deceased started his car to leave the checkpoint only for another police officer standing in front to turn his rifle and shoot directly at him.
Okocha was hit by the bullet and started shouting that he had been shot. The Police team then ran into their car and drove off. The eyewitness drove the victim to the nearby Living World Hospital before calling his Attorney who joined him to MCC Road Police Station where the Police Team and the trigger-happy cop were identified by the eyewitness. Okocha died on Friday evening.
Meanwhile, the Abiriba community is calling on Abia State Government to intervene to ensure that officers in Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies get the message that the lives of innocent Abia State citizens must be protected without compromise.
“The Abiriba Community has been wounded and is saddened by the unprovoked, reckless, and brutal murder of their promising young son. The philanthropic and kind-hearted father of the victim, Late Chief Michael N. Okocha, whose time and wealth touched numerous lives and commitment/drive to Community Development is still visible in Abiriba after two decades of his demise must be watching from the spirit world to see how his beloved Abiriba will rally to ensure that those who brutally cut short the life of his beloved son are served the justice they deserved.”
“This ugly incident is a constant reminder that the Government needs to do more to checkmate the excesses of men and women of her security agencies. They should be made to understand that their job is to protect lives, not to take them, and firearms are only meant to be used in extreme danger to defend themselves against a deadly attack.”
“Late Mr. Emmanuel Michael Okocha should not only Rest in Peace, he must Rest in Justice,” an Abiriba community source lamented.
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