•Anger, as Abiriba community demands justice
From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
When on April 17, a young businessman, Emmanuel Okocha, scion of the late businessman and socialite, Chief Michael N. Okocha of Amanta, Abiriba, in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, left his village for Aba, the state’s commercial hub, little did he know he would not get to his destination alive.
The young Okocha was said to have left his home town on that fateful day in the company of a friend and they headed for Aba. But he had his life cut short at his prime on the road.
What happened? A police corporal, whose name was given as Obagi Njok, was said to have shot and killed Okocha for allegedly refusing to give him money.
The incident, according to a source, happened opposite Abayi Girls High School, along Aba/Owerri Road in Aba, when the deceased’s car was flagged down by policemen at a checkpoint in the area.
According to the source, as the cops stopped Okocha’s car, one of the policemen demanded to see the vehicle particulars and the driver’s licence, which the businessman was said to have given them without hesitation.
After checking the vehicle papers, it was gathered, the police officer returned the documents to the owner, an indication that they were in order. However, rather than allow Okocha and his friend to continue their journey, it was alleged that the policeman demanded money from them.
The deceased reportedly replied that he had no money to give to the policeman, having wasted his time checking his particulars. Believing he had been cleared to go, however, as the deceased attempted to move his car from the check point, Corporal Njok who was standing in front of the car, without provocation, shot at Okocha.
As the deceased slumped inside his car after being hit by a bullet, the police team reportedly left him in pain and fled the scene. It was Okocha’s friend who was sitting with him in the car, that took him to a nearby hospital where he underwent surgery. But he died hours later.
Luck, however, ran out on the fleeing Corporal Njok when the deceased’s friend later identified him and other members of the team at the MCC Police Station, Abayi, as the one that shot and killed his friend.
Abiriba Community cries for justice
Incensed by the killing of their son, the Abiriba community has petitioned the state governor, Dr. Alex Otti to intervene in the matter and ensure that justice is done in order to protect other citizens.
“The Abiriba community has been wounded and is saddened by the unprovoked, reckless and brutal murder of our promising young son.
“The philanthropic and kind-hearted father of the victim, late Chief Michael N. Okocha, whose time and wealth touched numerous lives and whose commitment and drive to community development is still visible in Abiriba after two decades of his demise, must be watching from the spirit world to see how his beloved Abiriba will rally to ensure that those who brutally cut short the life of his beloved son are served the justice they deserve.
“This ugly incident is a constant reminder that the government needs to do more to checkmate the excesses of men and women in her security agencies. They should be made to understand that their job is to protect lives not to take it and firearms are only meant to be used in extreme danger to defend themselves against deadly attacks.”
Abia government saddened by the killing
Abia State government said it observed with dismay the ugly incident that occurred at Aba, in which a police officer reportedly shot and killed Okocha.
A statement by Professor Kenneth Kalu, Secretary to the State Government, made it clear that the government was saddened by the incident.
The statement added that the governor has directed the State Commissioner of Police, Kene Onwuemelie, to ensure that the police officers involved in the unfortunate incident were duly investigated and anyone found culpable made to face the full wrath of the law.
“Preliminary information from the Abia State Police Command shows that one of the police officers involved is already in custody and would be made to go through the disciplinary process of the Police Force. If he is culpable, the officer would be sanctioned appropriately and charged to court.”
While commiserating with the immediate family of the victim and the entire people of Abiriba and the Aba community at large, Otti commended the communities for heeding to the appeal not to go on protest or take the law into their hands in display of anger over the incident.
The government assured the family, the Abiriba and Aba communities that the matter will not be swept under the carpet.
Abia command reacts
Abia State Police Command has reacted to the incident, indicting Corporal Njok for being reckless with his gun while on duty.
The command’s public relations officer, Maureen Chinaka who stated this in a statement said, “Preliminary inquiries into the matter reveal that a police Corporal, Obagi Njok, attached to Abayi Police Division under Abia State Police Command shot at Mr. Emmanuel Okocha along Aba-Owerri Road.”
She said the officer has been apprehended, and necessary disciplinary procedures have been initiated.
Her words: “The Abia State Police Command is aware of the trending news regarding the incident resulting in the death of Mr. Emmanuel Okocha, shot by a police officer.
“The Abia State Police Command states without prevarication that the incident is unfortunate, and regrettable. The Command uses this medium to publicly commiserate with the family, friends, and well-wishers of the deceased.”