People were left in a state of shock after a bribe-seeking policeman reportedly shot dead an okada rider in Ebonyi state.
The okada rider killed by the policeman
Governor David Umahi has ordered the immediate arrest of a policeman attached to the Ebonyi State Anti Kidnap Squad over the death of a commercial motorcycle operator, popularly known as Okada in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital, according to Ebonyi Online.
It was gathered that the young man in his early 20s was allegedly shot dead by a policeman attached to Anti Kidnap squad, Ak of Ebonyi State police command along Water Works road, Abakaliki on Wednesday night for allegedly refusing to give a bribe of N50 bribe.
A source who witnessed the incident said the rider in his 20s was carrying a female passenger when he was flagged down by the police officers, who are notorious for fleecing motorists of their money at night at the junction.
"When they stopped him, they demanded for their usual N50 but he gave them N20 and wanted to drive off when one of them opened fire on him. The bullet shattered his head and he died instantly," said the witness.
The incident caused pandemonium along the road as residents along the adjourning streets gathered and attempted to lynch the officers. They also used tires to set burn fires on the road.
But the arrival of a new detachment of police officers to the scene saved the day as they used teargas to dispel the crowd while also shooting sporadically into the air to scare them away.
The Governor who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor described the incident as barbaric and calous and expressed confidence that justice will be done in the killing of the deceased.
He said the incident has further called for more dedication, commitment and professional training for the country's security personnel to stop further killings of innocent Nigerians on the line of their duties and assured that he would take up the matter to the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the trigger happy policeman who shot and killed the boy is punished inline with the rule of his engagement.
Umahi warned that his administration will not tolerate any form of killing of innocent citizens or extra judicial killing by the security agencies and ordered the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Titus Lamorde to arrest the trigger happy policeman who shot the decaesed and other members of the team to face full weight of the law.
While expressing his sincere condolences to the family of the deceased, Governor Umahi promised to visit the family when full information concerning his family is made available and called on the public to remain calm as the situation was already under control and never to resort to taking laws into their hands.
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