From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Government has assured the people of Yenezue-Epie, particularly the family of slain Mr Moses Akanda, that it would do everything within its powers to ensure that justice is served over the unfortunate incident that led to the death of their son.
Akanda was killed during a fracas involving some suspected cultists and officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the assurance at a meeting with the leadership of Yenezue-Epie, the deceased family, the Commissioner of Police and other stakeholders at the Government House, Yenagoa.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Mr Doubara Atasi, on Tuesday, Ewhrudjakpo urged security agencies to be always thorough and professional in carrying out their duties, stressing that every life, including that of a suspect, remains sacred until proven guilty by a competent court of jurisdiction.
Ewhrudjakpo, who commiserated with the family, assured that no stone would be left unturned in unravelling the circumstances that led to the death of Akanda.
Consequently, he directed the commissioner of police to ensure that investigations into the incident be concluded within one week timeframe for the matter to be charged to court.
“Government is aware that our son (Moses) was unjustifiably killed. But let us give the police one week to identify the person that shot our son. The law is that, if you are going to arrest a person and the person tries to escape, you shoot below the waist and not above the waist. While we are waiting for the law to take its full course, I really want to appeal to all of us, particularly the bereaved family, not to do anything that will make us to be unequally yoked like the killers of our son,” he said.
The deputy governor promised that the government would support the burial of the deceased as soon as investigations were concluded, as well as take care of the immediate family, particularly the pregnant wife of the slain Akanda. He, however, cautioned youths and people of Epie Kingdom against frequent resort to street protests as a means of expressing their grievances and demands.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo said the doors of the Governor Douye Diri-led administration are open to receive and handle genuine complaints of communities with a view to addressing them to sustain the prevailing peace in the state.
In her remarks, the Member representing Yenagoa Constituency One in the State House of Assembly, Ayibanegiyefa Egba, described the incident as sad and provocative, noting that such shooting resulting in fatalities had become one too many in the Epie kingdom.
Egba, however, appealed for calm on the part of the bereaved family and Yenezue-Epie community, as the government was doing everything possible to resolve the matter in the shortest time possible.