Nkpor killing: RULAAC seeks probe of police killing in Anambra

The killing of one young man and grievous gunshot injury on another in Nkpor, Anambra State on April 15, 2020 by members of a Police team ostensibly enforcing public compliance with the lockdown and restrictions on movement in the State, being part of measures to contain the spread of Covid-19, is very disturbing.

That tragic killing has provoked controversy and wrangling within and beyond the State, arising primarily from claims and counter claims between the police and a cross section of residents and eye witnesses who contradict and dispute the accounts by the Police.

The Anambra State Command’s account is contained in a statement issued by the State Police PRO SP Haruna Mohammed, for the Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command entitled ‘Unprovoked Attack on Police Team on Routine Patrol at New Tyres, Nkpor…’

The Police claims that the team ‘suddenly came under unprovoked attack by a group of miscreants with substance suspected to be acid. As a result, one Operative attached to the team Cpl Christopher Uzor sustained serious injuries all over his body following the attack while the hoodlums rushed his AK 47 rifle with 30 rounds of live ammunition in a bid to snatch it.The team swiftly resoonded (sic) repelled the hoodlums with gunshots and retrieved the AK 47 rifle from them’. The Police added that ‘one of the attackers who was fatally wounded was prevented by the miscreants from being taken to the hospital, but the injured Policeman was rushed to the hospital for medical attention.’

The Police further stated: ‘Following the incident, Youths in their hundreds holding offensive weapons went on rampage at Nkpor and New parts general area destroyed Police patrol vehicle with Registration number Veh 009 attached to Awada Division and other Government properties’

‘Consequently, Police reinforcement comprising PMF, SARS, Special Anti cult Unit and other Sister Agencies have been drafted to the area to restore normalcy, while investigation is still ongoing, please.’ the PPRO concluded.

However, a contrary narrative, as shown in a video clip of a television news report capturing the accounts of eye witnesses as well as accounts by some civil society leaders in the State whom RULAAC has inquired from present two accounts. One account had it that the victims were
accosted by the Police Team while walking home after playing football in a field at Nkpor and were ordered to their vehicle. The young men tried to explain where they were coming from and questioned why they were being ordered into the Police vehicle.

An argument ensued resulting to the Police officers shooting at the two young men.

Another account was that the two victims were passengers in a Keke (Commercial Tricycle) being pursued by the Police Team for violating the no movement order.

What is clear in all these confusions however, is that the Police shot at the two victims killing one and inflicting grievous injury on the other.

According to a prominent Civil Society leader in Anambra State ‘Popular opinion out there, is that the police concocted the narrative, by doctoring photographs, vandalizing own vehicles, all in a bid to protect their colleague who shot and killed the citizen. Pray, how could an unarmed civilian make his way into a police patrol team and pour acidic substance on an armed police officer on duty. Bottom line is that these incidents have a common trigger. And that is, refusal of citizens to part with money often demanded by police. Other things follow, afterwards.’

We believe that the killing cannot be left to the Police to investigate, considering that the Police are also interested parties with an entrenched position.

What is called for, is an independent and effective investigation by a neutral and impartial body. Hence, our call on the Anambra State Governor to set up an independent Commission of inquiry to ascertain the truth and recommend appropriate sanctions and measures to avert further police killings in the State.

This inquiry should determine, among other things, the true circumstances that led to the police shooting, whether the Police acted with justification; whether they acted in self defense and the force applied was proportionate. An autopsy on the body of the victim is also necessary.

This is not the first time we would be calling on the Anambra State Governor to set up an independent inquiry over killings in the State.

On December 31, 2019 we had cause to call on the Governor to set up a Commission of inquiry to investigate the mysterious killing by gunshot, of one Mr. Onyeocha Umuokwu in the house of a prominent political figure in Alor, Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra State on December 25, 2019.

The call was necessitated by claims and and counter, as to who fired the fatal shot: the Police, Department of State Service or the communiry vigilante group?

That call was unheeded and nothing known to the public has been done to identify who killed the citizen and what has been done to ensure justice.

We hope that the Governor will heed this call.

Okechukwu Nwanguma
Executive Director
RULAAC
08064974531

Prince Chris Azor
Coordinator
PSPF
08032102294