An operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense (NSCDC), Inspector Robinson Otobong Abel, attached to the Akwa Ibom State Command, has killed a man identified as Onyedikachi Agbatuwa Nwaogu at Umuokpo community in Obingwa LGA of Abia State.
The NSCDC operative was reported to be escorting some Chinese officials of a construction firm in the area when they drove into a track road into Nwaogu’s family compound due to the dilapidated state of the Aba- Ikot Ekpene federal highway.
An argument was said to have ensued as the deceased insisted that the hilux van in which the NSCDC operative was travelling with, should reverse to the highway as his father’s compound was not a road.
Eyewitnesses told pointblanknews.comthat the NSCDC operative barked at the deceased, asked him to make way and pull his gun and shot him at his legs and stomach, killing him instantly.
As residents raised alarm, Inspector Robinson threw the corpse into the hilux van and they fled towards the Abia state border with Akwa Ibom state. “They had passed the Abia state side of the border when the Mopol men on the Akwa Ibom side arrested them,” a source said.
Following their arrest by the Mopol men, youths of the community who burnt the hilux van, would have lynched the NSCDC official but for the intervention of the Mopol men and soldiers alerted to the incident.
“As the Civil defense man saw our brother in pool of blood and struggling for life, he threw him into the back of the hilux jeep and their driver sped off. We raised alarm and some youths started chasing them. They had gone past the Abia side of the border when some people contacted the Mobile policemen at the Akwa Ibom side who stopped them. They would have thrown away his corpse or even brand him an armed robber. Onyedikachi has been killed by a civil Defense man without committing any offence, leaving his wife and four children. This is the height of wickedness,” the eyewitnesses said.
Angered by the incident, youths of the community took the corpse on a protest march to some roads in Aba town where they were confronted by over 200 soldiers and policemen.
As usual, Abia State Commissioner of Police, Mrs Janet Agbede, failed to respond to messages and phone calls to her mobile number; 08094448883. However, a senior police officer in the state command confirmed that the killer NSCDC operative is being detained at the Eastern Ngwa Police Division, Abia State.
Meanwhile, the Abia State government has called for calm in the area and commended all the security agencies that ensured the arrest of the suspect.
A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi-Kalu , read; “Abia State Government wishes to express its deepest regrets over the unfortunate incident and condemn in totality this apparent act of carelessness and callousness that has led to the loss of yet another precious life under avoidable circumstances.
“The Government wishes to express its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the late Nwogu. We commend vigilant community youth, men and officers of the Abia State Police Command and those of the Nigeria Army, for ensuring the prompt arrest of the suspect who is now in custody.
“Let us assure the family and friends of the late Mr Nwogu, and indeed, all Abians, that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring that justice is swiftly done in this matter.
“Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, who is deeply shocked to hear of the killing, expresses his sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the late Nwogu and will soon visit the bereaved family and community to personally convey his sympathy to them.
“We wish to call on the youth of the affected community and others rightly pained by this sad incident not to take the law into their hands and avoid any act capable of provoking further violence or loss of lives as security agents have been fully deployed to maintain the peace and protect all law abiding citizens.”
