The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has ordered the arrest and detention of the policemen who invaded Idjerhe Kingdom and allegedly shot the vigilante commander in the Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state.
Our medium had reported that the kingdom’s vigilante commander, Mr. Freeborn Ofeshohwo Alia’s Cornerstone, and two of his lieutenants, Mr Friday Johnson and Enor Young, were shot by the policemen led by one (Sgt) Inspector Sunday Awor when they allegedly invaded the kingdom on January 30, 2024, under the guise of searching for drugs and cultists.
Though the vigilante commander and his other two men survived the shooting, they are, however, said to be in critical condition at an undisclosed hospital.
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bright Edafe, Delta State Police Command said the erring cops had been identified and arrested for in-house prosecution.
The statement read thus: “The Command is aware of a publication making rounds in some sections of the media about an alleged shooting by policemen at Idjerhe Kingdom in Ethiope West LGA.
“The Commissioner of Police Delta State, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police State Criminal Investigation Department to commence a full-scale investigation into the incident, and the officers involved have been identified and detained, while an internal disciplinary action has been initiated.
“The CP wishes to reiterate that it’s not in the character of the command to trample on the rights of citizens, assault, or use their rifles without recourse to Force Order 237.
“He assures members of the public that the officers concerned will be decisively dealt with in accordance with the extant laws as stipulated in the Police Act and regulations to serve as a deterrent to others, noting that under his watch, such conduct by officers of the command will not be tolerated.
“He has therefore tasked officers and men to uphold the tenets of professional policing in the discharge of their duties with respect to the rights of all citizens in line with the provisions of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), while hoping that the actions taken by the erring officers will serve as a deterrent to others.
“He appealed to members of the public, particularly indigenes of Idjerhe Kingdom, and the families of the injured vigilantes who are currently receiving treatment, to remain calm and assure them of justice.
“For complaints, members of the public can reach the command through the command control room at 0803 668 4974.”
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