Police sergeant dismissed for killing Okada rider in Ebonyi

The Ebonyi Police Command said it has summarily dismissed a trigger happy sergeant Onyebuchi Nweke after shooting to death an Okada rider Ofim Ejike, after an orderly room trial. Even as Governor David Umahi ordered his arrest.

Nweke was tried by the Anti-kidnapping unit on Thursday, following the unfortunate incident on Wednesday night along the popular Water Works road, Abakaliki, the state capital.

Briefing newsmen at the Command’s Headquarters in Abakaliki, the State Police Spokesman, Loveth Odah who stated that such dastardly act would never be condoned by the police added that the suspect would be charged to court Friday to face charges bordering on murder.

“The incident that happened is indeed an unfortunate one; we are appealing for peace and order; there is no way the police command would condone such dastardly act; if I may tell you, the suspect, Sgt. Onyebuchi Nweke was tried yesterday (Wednesday) at the department level and was summarily dismissed from the force.

He will be charged to court tomorrow “We are the only force or institution that washes our dirty linen in public; what happened is indeed unfortunate; if any Okada rider was arrested or his bike confiscated following the incident, as soon as there is calm, they will be released and their bike returned to them. Every strategy is aimed at bringing peace to the state capital.

“Even as senior officers of the Command went on patrol to quell the situation, they were stoned by the Okada riders; as I am talking to you now, a police officer who was hit by stone, is now on admission at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki. He is presently battling between life and death; another officer with traffic was today beaten to stupor by the rampaging Okada riders.

“We appeal for peace and order as no stone would be left unturned to ensure justice for the victim, Mr. Ofim Ejike who resides at 32 Linus Ede Street, Convent Road, Abakaliki.”

Meanwhile, Okada riders who are still on rampage following the demise of their colleagues as the police were said to have shot tear gas canisters to disperse them as the state government had already scheduled a meeting with the Okada riders over the unfortunate incident.

Meanwhile, the state governor, David Umahi has ordered the immediate arrest of the policeman over the alleged killing of a commercial motorcyclist.

Umahi, who spoke through his chief press secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Uzor in Abakaliki, the state capital also condemned the act.

He described the incident as “barbaric and callous” and said that justice would be done in the matter.

He said that the unfortunate incident had further called for more dedication, commitment and professional training for the nation’s security personnel to stop further killing of innocent Nigerians in the line of duty.

The governor assured that he would take up the matter with the Inspector-General of police to ensure that the policeman who allegedly killed the motorcyclist was punished in line with the rules of engagement.