Protest in Umuahia over killing of footballer by police
By Steve Oko
Umuahia the Abia State capital was Tuesday morning engulfed in wild protest following the killing of a youth and popular footballer by a trigger -happy police Sergeant.
The victim, Chukwubuike Onuoha, 21, was allegedly shot twice at a close range by the cop who is now at large.
The suspect identified as Sergeant Collins Akpugo was said to have escaped with his wife and one month old baby from his apartment in the area apparently to avoid reprisal attack by angry youths.
According to eye witness , the incident took place Monday night.
The victim with his friends were said to be sitting out in front of their family house at Afara Ukwu when the cop who lived in the neighborhood was driving home in a Hilux van.
The victim was said to have approached the police man and asked him to dim the light of the vehicle which he had reportedly flashed at them.
Apparently angered by the request to dim his light, the police man pulled his pistol and shot the victim twice at his shoulder and chest regions.
The victim was said to have slumped immediately and rushed to the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia where he was confirmed dead.
The police man was said to have fled the scene on foot leaving behind his van before the arrival of angry youths who reportedly set the van ablaze.
Meanwhile, there was eruption of protests in the town Tuesday morning by both youths and women against the brutal action of the cop.
Afara women decked in black attires took to the streets chanting war songs.
They demanded justice for the deceased.
Leader of the women, Mrs. Ngozi Ogbonna said police must produce the trigger -happy cop to face justice.
Giving more insight on how the incident occurred, she said that “while the youths including the deceased elder brother tried to engage the policeman, he chased them away with his gun and later shot the deceased a second time on the chest before abandoning his van on the scene and took to his heeds.
“We know Collins very well, he is a tenant in our community. He killed our son for no just cause.
“We have gone to the Government to complain ; we are also going to the police command to express our grievances to them. All we want is justice in this matter.”
The youths from the community earlier went on a protest at the Central Political Station Umuahia where they were reportedly dispersed with tear gas.
Police were said to have also blocked a section of the Umuahia Bende road where the CPS is located apparently to avoid break down of law and order.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state in the state, Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed the incident.
He said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Okon Enen had already ordered a full investigation into the incident.
According to him, the investigation team led by the Homicide Department of the state Criminal investigation Department had commenced investigation.
The PPRO also said the CP has sent a delegation to the family of the deceased to pacify them.
“We got a signal last night that a police shot a resident of the Afara community.
“The Commissioner of Police in the state has ordered a through investigation into happened.
“meanwhile the CP has sent a delegation to commiserate with the family and community of the deceased.
“He has assured them that no stone would be left unturned until justice is done “.
Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria.
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