Dr. Prince Kehinde Taiga, president of Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR) has sent condolence messages to the Nigeria Police Force over the murder of six gallant officers in Delta state. He also commiserated with families of the fallen heroes.
The slain officers, according to a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa AdejobI, fell victim to an ambush by armed assailants while undertaking a mission to investigate the disappearance and rescue of three of their colleagues in Ohoro forest in Delta state.
The deceased officers, according to the statement, include Inspector Abe Olubunmi (IRT), Inspector Friday Irorere, Sergeant Kuden Elisha, Sergeant Akpan Aniette, Sergeant Ayere Paul, and Sergeant Ejemito Friday.
Those said to be missing are Inspector Onoja Daniel, Inspector Onogho Felix, Inspector Emmanuel Okoroafor, Inspector Joel Hamidu, Sergeant Moses Eduvie, and Sergeant Cyril Okorie.
In a statement by Taiga and made available to Emerald News, he sent condolences to the police force and the families of the murdered officers. He felt pained that the officers died while carrying out their official assignment by the police authority.
He condemned the killing of the officers, saying the death of the officers was unwarranted as the officers were carrying out their lawful duty as security operatives. He sympathized with the family of the deceased praying God to grant the family of the late officers the fortitude to bear the loss of dear ones.
In another development, Prince Taiga commended the inspector general of police for his commitment to the welfare of men of the force. He said the force helmsman is very dogged and fair in handling welfare of the police officers.
According to Taiga, the police IG, Kayode Egbetokun, has the welfare of men of the police force at heart, hence his commitment to their wellbeing irrespective of officers ethnicity.
Specifically, Prince Taiga said the IGP’s action is devoid of tribalism and favouritism, a special character so much cherished and loved by all Nigerians.
Taiga expressed desire for the police authorities to return to the days where police uniforms are bought for officers without them spending their meager pay to buy uniforms for themselves.
He also added that he would appreciate situation where children of senior officers are trained free to remove burden of training their children from them. This, he said, would make the police focus on their jobs and divert their minds from corrupt practices.
He said since the appointment of Egbetokun, he has been very fair in dealing with the officers, saying his administration is welfare oriented.
However, he called on the police IG to ensure he pursues proper funding for the police force, saying with proper funding of the officers on duty in different police formations, the rate of corruption and extortion among men of the force will be reduced.
He added: “I also urge the Police service Commission headed by former inspector general of police, Solomon Arase, for the prompt payment of retired officers without delay to enable them take care of their families and themselves having left the service.”
He called on the IGP to remain focused in his national assignment, saying his detractors making unfounded publications against his personality are men who are jealous of his success stories. He said men of the human rights community are solidly behind him in his quest to transform the police force.
