NGO Calls on Police to Take Responsibility for Killing of Oldest Man in Rivers Community

A Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Society for the Promotion of Better Nigeria has called on police in Rivers State to take responsibility for the death of an elderly man in Mgbuoshimiri community during an invasion of the community by police at the weekend.

The executive director of the NGO, Livingstone Nweche, in his reaction condemned the approach used by men of the Nigerian police in combating cultism which led to the death of a senior citizen.

Nweche said: “I wish to condemn in unmistakable terms the recent spate of community invasion by security agencies in Rivers State in the name of fighting cultism and criminality which is very disturbing. This is particular reference to the uncoordinated and hostile approach leading to colatral damage resulting in the loss f innocent lives and property of community dwellers.“Just two days ago, the Nigeria police invasion of Mgbuoshimiri Community in Rumueme, police reportedly opened fire on community dwellers. Such firing spree leading to the death of the oldest man in that community for whatever information obviously devoid of undercover investigation and standard operations, it means we are not safe. I, therefore, maintain that the Nigeria police must take responsibility for that action. I further strongly appeal to the security agencies to quickly review their approach using standard strategies so as to ensure the protection of innocent lives during such operations," he added.

Nweche also called on the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr Kimo, not to allow security deteriorate under his watch.

“It has become a great challenge before the new commissioner of police, Mr Kimo, to note that the success story of security records by his predecessor, Chris Ezike, in the state is fast eroding under his watch. He is hereby charged to not only restore, but surpass same records creditably through more proactive and result-oriented techniques. On this note, may I restate as a watcher that the commissioner of police is rest assured of massive citizenship support and solidarity if only he shows requisite capacity and commitment to fight crime in the state particularly in ensuring that those who ought to help out with information dissemination do not continue to be victims of the unwarranted hostility of some of his men in the spirit of community policing.

In another development, the national youth council of Nigeria, Abua Odual Chapter said it was not true that there was increase in crime and criminal activities in the local government area.

Spokesperson of the council in the area, Solomon Wobo in a reaction to a statement credited to the Abua Odual Youths Congress, said that there had rather been a reduction in the rate of crime in recent time.

“The present government has done so well especially in terms of security in Abua Odual Local Government Area. The issue of insecurity in Abua has source of concern over the last four to five years. Stopping it is not a day job, it is a gradual process. The hoodlums perpetrating these criminalities are from Emo, Eyak and Diagada 1 of Okpede axis of Abua Odual Local Government Area,” he said.