By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu
A group known as the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has called on the Abia Commissioner of Police, Jane Agbede, to expedite prosecution of security personnel that involved in extrajudicial killings during the lockdown in the state.
It will be recalled that in a bid contain the spread of coronavirus in the state, security officials were deployed to enforce the restriction of movement imposed by the state government.
During this period, some innocent citizens of the South Eastern state of the nation lost their lives to extrajudicial killings from police personnel.
One of the notable incidents that gained nationwide attention was the killing of one Chibuisi on Monday, April 6, 2020, along Ururuka Road in Obingwa area of the state by one Inspector Stanley.
Another was one Mr Friday Arunsi from Ebem, Ohafia, who was also shot dead by a police officer, leading to the destruction of properties due to reprisal from aggrieved youths.
In a petition to the police chief in the state, FENRAD appealed to the CP to ensure that justice is served expeditiously in the said cases to boost public confidence.
The group further demanded the probe of alleged massive unlawful detention, exploitation of motorists and tricyclists by men of the force during the period under review.
The foundation also noted that though there are indications that the officers involved are detained with State Criminal Investigation Department, there are questions begging for urgent attention, which include which justice has been done since then; and who assigned ammunition to a drunken officer.
FENRAD, therefore, urged the CP to keep the public abreast of the development to retain their confidence.
Adedapo Adesanya