The people of Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State, and the member representing Anambra East/West Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Mr. Peter Aniekwe, are demanding justice for their son, Jideovo Aniekwe, who was allegedly killed by the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Delta State Police Command. The deceased was a fisherman and bricklayer from Umuoba Anam in Anambra State.
The House of Representatives member, Aniekwe in his petition to the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, copied to the Chairman, Police Service Commission; the Chairman National Human Rights Commission and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Delta State, described the alleged killing as barbaric, wicked and unacceptable in a modern society. He, therefore, called on all the authorities to urgently intervene to ensure investigation is conducted on the matter and decisive action is taken.
On their part, a coalition of different groups in Anam, Justice4Jideovo, are demanding for the immediate release of the deceased’s body for burial according to Anam customs; the prosecution of the officers involved in the killing and payment of adequate compensation for all the injuries caused by the killing.
During investigation, a witness who said he recognised some of the policemen involved in the alleged killing because he knew them before the incident and had made statement to the police; narrated that the late Aniekwe visited his brother, Edwin Mmeze at Bonsaac area of Asaba, Delta State on January 17, 2024 to solicit support for his children’s school fees.
He slept over in Mmeze’s house because it was late for him to return to his own house and around 12am, they heard noise; and when they came out, they saw men with guns knocking at the gate.
Thinking that the men were armed robbers, they ran to different directions in the compound because there was nothing to identify the men as policemen. The police caught up with Anekwe, shot him dead and went away with the body.”
Investigations also revealed that the family of the deceased had approached the police for the release of the deceased’s body, but were allegedly told to sign an undertaking never to bring up the matter again which they refused.
The petitioners said despite assurances of intervention, the police authority has not initiated serious investigation into the matter that would lead to the prosecution of the perpetrators. They are therefore, calling on President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, civil society groups and all well-meaning Nigerians to compel immediate investigation into the matter for justice to be done.
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, did not react to enquiries about the position of the Delta State Police Command on the matter, as at the time of going to press.