Following the protest that rocked Asaba Delta state capital on the 5th of April 2023, over the killing of a businessman, Onyeka Emmanuel Ibe, by a police officer, the Civil Rights Council (CRC) has called on the Nigeria police force and other relevant agencies to properly investigate the murder and bring the perpetrator to book.
In a statement signed by Comrade Joy Edigbine, Asaba coordinator of the group and made available to Emerald News, the council condemned the killing of the phone dealer, saying the rate of unwarranted harassment of innocent people by police officers was becoming worrisome and disturbing.
The statement is reproduced hereunder:
WE CONDEMN THE ALLEGED KILLING OF A PHONE SELLER, LATE IBE BY THE NIGERIAN POLICE
“We are miffed and worried over the killings of Nigerians by the Nigerian police in the country. The rate at which some trigger happy police officers brutalise, intimidate, harass and kill innocent citizens has become horrific and disturbing.
“This, of course, has become a course of concern by all and sundry, using late Onyeka Emmanuel Ibe, a businessman who sells phones at Ogbeogonogo market, who was allegedly killed by overzealous and trigger happy Police Officer, Inspector Ebri Ubi, at Awai Ugbolu Road, near Asaba as a case study.
“Late Mr. Ibe Onyeka Emmanuel who was allegedly killed on his way to work, on the 5th of April 2023, leaving his pregnant wife a premature widow, was said to have occurred as the deceased had refused giving the police officer money which was allegedly demanded of him.
“We are, by this press release, condemning this draconic act of killing and police brutality, as well as calling on international community to wade into the case and ensure that both the police who murdered late Ibe Onyeka Emmanuel and the Nigerian police force are brought to book.
“As Civil Rights Council, it is one of our core mandates to ensure that citizens rights are protected, as well demanding for justice for the underprivileged in the society
“Therefore, we are stating unequivocally that there must be legal expediency by our council including our international partners to pursue the case to a logical conclusion. We implore the police authority not push the case under the carpet nor allow the perpetrator go scot free.”
