Six (6) policemen, One (1) Civilian Killed in Onitsha , says Intersociety

The True Version Of Onitsha Oguta Road Shooting And Death Of A
Policeman And An Okada Rider
(Intersociety Nigeria, 13th August 2017)-The shooting leading to
instant death of a policeman and an Okada civilian along Oguta Road
and its adjoining Tasia Road in Onitsha today has nothing to do with
inside church killing or killing of worshippers attending church
service in the Assemblies of God Church; as was the case last Sunday
(6th August 2017) in Ozubulu Community, Ekwusigo LGA of Anambra State.

Rather, the today’s Sunday shooting and killing were carried out by a
three-man gang operating on a high speed motorcycle. The gang had
accosted and opened fire on an armed policeman stationed in front of
the gate of the Assemblies of God Church located on Oguta Road;
killing him instantly after snatching his rifle. The three-man gang on
a motorbike on getting to the nearby Tasia Road in their bid to
escape, sighted a civilian Okada rider obstructing their escape route
and shot him dead instantly  before escaping.
This finding is built on several phone calls made and strong
confirmation of same by Comrade Aloysius Attah following his crime
scene visit and comprehensive investigation he carried out today.
Comrade Attah doubles as the Chairman of the CLO, Southeast Zone and
Senior Correspondent of the Daily Sun Newspaper (+2348035090548) in
Anambra State.
Shooting, killing and snatching of duty rifles of policemen at
checkpoints particularly in Onitsha and environs have intensified in
recent months or since past three months. The attacks are carried out
by usually two-man gang operating with motorbikes or Okada.
According to an investigation carried out by Comrade Aloysius Attah,
revisited by Intersociety, about six policemen and a civilian have
lost their lives to this latest attack on policemen at checkpoints
especially in Onitsha and environs in recent months.
For instance, between late May and this August 2017, such attacks have
taken place at Ugwu Nwanosike in Ogidi resulting to the death of a
policemen with his rifle lost; Nkpor-Umuoji Road (same), Nkpor Down
Flyover (same), Onitsha Upper Iweka Old TRACAS (two policemen killed
and rifles lost) and Oguta Road by Assemblies of God Church Gate (one
policeman died and rifle lost). A civilian Okada rider also lost his
life.
As a result, all checkpoints mounted by security agencies particularly
in Onitsha and environs including those mounted by soldiers, naval and
police personnel have introduced hand-on-held and off ignition passage
of their checkpoints by all motorcycle operators or private and
commercial motorcyclists; whereby they are commanded to off their
motorbikes’ ignition keys long meters before the checkpoints and same
distances after the passage before they can switch on their ignition
keys again.
Our purpose of issuing this statement is in response to phone calls
and other electronic messages and enquiries that have bombarded us in
torrents. It is also to set the records straight so as to checkmate
the habitual distortion of facts by the security agencies. The killing
of policemen on duty under whatever guise or sentiments as well as all
forms of resort to jungle justice are totally condemned and must be
seriously checkmated using laid down processes and rule of law.
Signed:
Emeka Umeagbalasi, Board Chairman
For:  Int’l Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law
Mobile Line: +2348174090052
Email: [email protected]
Miss Chinenye F. Akubuilo (LLB, BL)
Head, Campaign and Publicity Department