The Abia State Police Command is currently investigating Corporal Obagi Njok, attached to Abayi Police Division under Abia State Police Command who shot and killed a businessman in Aba.
Nigeriacrime.com gathered that Corporal Obagi Njok who had been taken into custody shot dead Emmanuel Okocha from Abiriba in Ohafia Local Government Area while driving home along Aba-Owerri Road, on Wednesday
Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Moureen Chinaka, said that appropriate disciplinary actions would soon be meted on the killer cop.
She commiserated with the family of the victim and assured them that they would be carried along in further investigations into the matter
The victim, Mr Emmanuel Okocha from Abiriba in Ohafia Local Government Area was said to be driving home along Aba-Owerri Road, on Wednesday when the police at a checkpoint demanded some money from him and he allegedly refused.
In the ensuing argument, he was shot by the trigger-happy cop, resulting in deadly wounds.
He was to have been rushed to a hospital in the commercial city where efforts to save his life failed as he later died Friday night.
Meanwhile, the PPRO said: “Preliminary Inquiries into the matter reveal that a Police Corporal Obagi Njok, attached to Abayi Police Division under Abia State Police Command shot at Mr Emmanuel Okocha along Aba-Owerri Road.
“The officer has been apprehended, and necessary disciplinary procedures have been initiated. Appropriate disciplinary actions and sanctions will be effected soonest, and he will face the full course of appropriate administrative and legal consequences. In this regard, representatives of the bereaved family and stakeholders will be carried along as the proceedings progress.
“The Abia State Police Command states without prevarication that the incident is unfortunate, and regrettable. The Command uses this medium to publicly commiserate with the family, friends, and well-wishers of the deceased.
“The Abia State Police Command remains steadfast in upholding professionalism and the rule of law. We unequivocally condemn any act of misconduct, unprofessionalism, and indiscipline among our officers.”
Meanwhile, Senator Enyinaya Abaribe representing Abia South has condemned in strong terms, the killing of Aba-based businessman, Emmanuel Okocha (Emma Noko), by a trigger-happy police corporal at a police checkpoint in Aba.
Senator Abaribe in a statement Sunday, described the action of the killer cop as “primitive and most unconscionable”, and called for the establishment of a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the killing and other complaints against the police in Aba.
The former Senate Minority Leader urged the Inspector General of Police to rein in the officers involved and to ensure that similar incidents are not witnessed again in Abia.
Senator Abaribe in a statement by his Media Adviser, Uchenna Awom, said: “The gruesome cold-blooded murder of Mr Okocha by the trigger-happy policeman on the allegation that he refused to give the said police officer money, is not only disgraceful, a serious blight on the image of the Nigeria Police but one that is unacceptable and stands condemnable by all.”
He, however, appealed for calm, but reminded the authorities that “the current sad development represents the low side of the proliferation of checkpoints in the South East, such that it looks as if they are ‘buying and selling points’, rather than for security purposes.”
“These frequent killings by law enforcement officers is becoming alarming and worrisome. People now live in fear in their own country. Our people become more terrified of the police rather than confident in their presence on the roads.
“That should not be the case. This is a country governed by laws and the officers must observe the rules of engagement while dealing with the civil populace. The brutal murder of Mr Okocha is one too many, particularly in Aba and its environs by the police.
“To assuage the fears of the people, the policeman who allegedly shot and killed Okocha and thus left his young family without a breadwinner must be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“And for other associated similar occurrences, I urge the government to set up a Judicial Panel of Enquiry to carry out a holistic inquest to nip these ugly events in the bud’, Abaribe said.
Senator Abaribe condoled with the bereaved family, his Abiriba community and the people of Abia State.