Security
By Kennedy Nnamani
THE Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has condemned the gruesome murder of Inspector Celestine Oriodovwe and many other police operatives in the country.
The association stated this on Sunday through Emmanuel Onwubiko, its National Coordinator during its press conference.
The association noted that the reason for the press conference was to register its dissatisfaction towards what it described as “the terrible and unfortunate kidnap and eventual murder” of Inspector Celestine Oriodovwe, by “dare-devil gangs in Enugu State.”
It said: “We in the organised civil rights advocacy community in Nigeria have consistently condemned any coordinated assault and organised massacre of the men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force because of the significant signal that it conveys around the World that Nigeria is a weak state and a Sovereign nation that is failing.
“This is why it is in the self-enlightened interests of President Muhammadu Buhari and the different layers of government, including the hierarchy of the Nigeria Police Force to work out and implement far reaching strategies to minimise and possibly eliminate the phenomenon and indeed the epidemic of coordinated assassination of the police operatives and the destruction of strategic national security assets of Nigeria.”
The association further extended its appreciation to Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector General of Police, who has “graciously ordered for the investigation of these incidents by relevant formations of the Nigeria Police Force”.
It also credited the dedication and professionalism of Muri Umar Musa, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 13, Ukpo, and his investigating “A Team”.
On behalf of the association, Onwubiko noted that the association is aware that some arrests have been made and that the investigation by the “Zone 13 A Team” is progressing, despite influence peddling from very high quarters.
Furthermore, Onwubiko assured that HURIWA will be monitoring the progress of this investigation and will be updating members of the public at every juncture.
“The fact that certain international organizations are relying on us to follow through on this, is enough motivation,” Onwubiko said. “It is said that evil prevails because good men refuse to do the right thing. We consider it morally injunctive to hone in on the kidnap and eventual murder of this Policeman because our collective apathy may have been the reason why the security situation degenerated in the first instance.”
He continued to say that “the general observation is that since the arrest, about 8 days ago, of a handful of these dare-devil syndicate, who the murdered Inspector was investigating for robbery and other crimes, the crime rate in Enugu South metropolis and its environs, where these criminals have been holding sway, has significantly diminished.
“It is clear that the ripple effect of these arrests on the multiple layers of crimes committed by these criminals, especially on their victims across board, is remarkable.
“It is indeed our belief that solving the singular murder of Inspector Celestine Oriodovwe will also ensure justice in the murders of Comrade Kelvin Ezeoha and the final year, Business Administration student of the Enugu State University of Technology, Mr. Chidera Ogaba who were brutally murdered at an APC reconciliation meeting, in January this year, within the same catchment that these criminals have been operating.
“We are also sure it will provide insight and closure into the earlier murders of the trio of Nnaemeka Agbo, Nnamani Ikpa and Sunday Nnamani, who were presumably murdered by the de-facto leader of this syndicate- (name withheld) and declared wanted by the Nigeria Police Force.”
HURIWA expressed its dissatisfaction over the slow pace of investigation and justice system, noting that since 2015, up until date, neither the mastermind nor his murderous lieutenants have been brought to book.
It said: “As a matter of fact, the audacity to not only kidnap and murder the Inspector, but to take his vehicle to the scene of crime, where the Inspector was investigating their criminal activities amounting to various degrees of assault, robbery and more, and to burn the vehicle there, was to send a message to their victims that their gang was untouchable and that no one can help them as victims.”
Onwubiko therefore assured that if the Inspector General of Police, does not investigate the highly placed supporters and enablers of these cold-blooded syndicate, responsible for most crimes in the area, who have assisted the syndicate evade justice for years, it will be deemed a tacit approval for the annihilation of innocent citizens within that catchment.
It further revealed that one of the alleged notable kingpins of the Eastern Security Network who remains on the Wanted List of the Police for crimes against the state, is a pivotal crew member of the referenced syndicate that must be brought to justice.
“We are confident that apprehending these criminals will be the beginning of justice for all the victims of the Syndicate, including those victims who are too afraid to come forward to tell their stories,” he said.
HURIWA appealed to the Police hierarchy to reach out to the family of the slain Inspector and provide them with succour just the same way that the IGP has presented cheques worth several millions of naira to many police operatives killed on the line of duty in Delta, Ebonyi, Imo States.
Recall that Usman Akali Baba had recently presented a cheque of N26.17m to the families of deceased officers, who died while in active service in Delta State.
KN
Tags: Celestine Oriodovwe Emmanuel Onwubiko HURIWA Kennedy Nnamani Muhammadu Buhari Muri Umar Musa Usman Alkali Baba
