The people of Anam in Anambra West Local Council of Anambra State and the member representing Anambra East/West Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Peter Aniekwe, have raised the alarm, demanding justice over the alleged killing of their son, Jideovo Aniekwe, by the anti-kidnapping squad, Delta State Police Command.
The deceased, who was a fisherman and bricklayer, hailed from Umuoba Anam in Anambra State.
Aniekwe, in his petition to the Commissioner of Police, Delta State (copied to the Chairman, Police Service Commission; the Chairman National Human Rights Commission and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Delta State), described the killing as barbaric, wicked and unacceptable in a modern society.
He, therefore, called on authorities to urgently intervene to ensure investigation is conducted and decisive action taken.
On its part, a coalition of different groups in Anam, Justice4Jideovo, demanded immediate release of the deceased’s body for burial, according to Anam customs.
The group also called for prosecution of the officers involved in the killing, and payment of compensation for all injuries caused by the killing.
“During the investigation, an eyewitness said he recognised some of the police officers involved in the alleged killing because he knew them before the incident and had made a statement to the police.
“He narrated that the late Aniekwe visited his brother, Edwin Mmeze, at the Bonsaac area of Asaba, Delta State, on January 17, 2024 to solicit support for his children’s school fees.
“He slept over in Mmeze’s house because it was late for him to return to his own house. At about 12:00 a.m., they heard a noise. And when they came out, they saw men with guns knocking at the gate.”
“Thinking that the men were armed robbers, they ran to different directions in the compound because there was nothing to identify the men as police.
“The police caught up with Anekwe, shot him dead, and went away with the body,” the group said.
According to the group, investigations also revealed that the family of the deceased had approached the police for the release of the deceased’s body. But they were allegedly told to sign an undertaking never to bring up the matter again, which they refused.
The petitioners said despite assurances of intervention, the police authorities have not initiated serious investigation that would lead to prosecution of the perpetrators.
They, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, civil society groups, and all well-meaning Nigerians to compel immediate investigation for justice to be done.
At press time, the spokesperson for Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe, was yet to respond to enquiries about the position of the command.
