Police Arrest, Detain Cop Who Shot Vigilante Leaders In Delta

The Delta State Police Command has arrested and detained two policemen who allegedly shot the commander and two members of the Idjerhe Kingdom’s vigilante group.

The detained officers are accused of having stormed Jesse town on January 30, 2024, and shot the vigilante commander, Mr. Freeborn Ofeshohwo alias Cornerstone, and two other members identified as Friday Johnson and Enor Young.

Following the appeal, the state commissioner of police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, over the weekend, condemned the shooting of the vigilante members, disclosing that the officers had been identified and detained for their involvement in the incident.

Olufemi, in a statement issued by the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, assured the people of Idjerhe Kingdom that the incident would be thoroughly investigated.

He called on the people of Idjerhe Kingdom, particularly the families of the injured victims, to trust that the command under his watch will ensure justice in the incident.

The statement titled “Re-Protest, Anger As Policemen Shoot Idjerhe Kingdom Vigilante Leaders And Two Others: CP Abaniwonda Olufemi Condemns The Act, Orders The Detention Of The Officers Involved, And SCID To Commence A Full-Scale Investigation” was released on Friday.

“The Commissioner of Police, Delta State, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, to commence a full-scale investigation into the incident, and the officers involved have been identified and detained, while an internal disciplinary action has been initiated.

“The CP wishes to reiterate that it is not in the character of the Command to trample on the rights of citizens, assault, or use their rifles without recourse to Force Order 237.

“He assures members of the public that the officers concerned will be decisively dealt with in accordance with the extant laws as stipulated in the Police Act and regulations to serve as a deterrent to others, noting that under his watch, such conduct by officers of the command will not be tolerated,” the statement read.

CP Olufemi warned officers and men of the command that he would not condone any form of unprofessionalism in the discharge of their duties, as anyone found flouting the Force’s code of conduct will be dealt with.

“He has therefore tasked officers and men to uphold the tenets of professional policing in the discharge of their duties with respect to the rights of all citizens in line with the provisions of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) while hoping that the actions taken on the erring officers will serve as a deterrent to others.

“He appealed to members of the public, particularly indigenes of Idjerhe Kingdom, and the families of the injured vigilantes who are currently receiving treatment, to remain calm and assured them of justice,” the Delta police commissioner added.

The arrest is coming barely 24 hours after the Daily Post reported the incident, which led to protests across Idjerhe Kingdom on Thursday.

The three victims were currently receiving medical attention for the life-threatening injuries they sustained during the attack.

However, the people of the area, led by the Otota of Idjerhe Kingdom, Chief Onosia James Obriki, condemned the incident, describing it as an unprovoked attack on the people of the Kingdom.

Chief Obriki, during the protest, appealed to the Inspector General of Police and the state commissioner of police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, to investigate the shooting and ensure that the officers implicated were arrested and prosecuted.