The Delta State Police Command has arrested and detained two policemen that reportedly shot the commander and two members of the Idjerhe Kingdom Vigilante Group.
The detained officers were alleged to have 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, Abaniwonda Olufemi at the weekend condemned the shooting of the vigilante members, disclosing that the cops had been identified and detained for their involvement in the incident.
Olufemi, in a statement issued by the State Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), 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 families of the injured victims, that the command under his watch would ensure justice in the incident.
He said that an internal disciplinary action has been initiated.
“The CP wishes to reiterate that it’s 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.
This came barely 24 hours after the incident was reported which led to protest across Idjerhe Kingdom on Thursday.
The three victims have been admitted in the hospital and 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 had 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 fingered were arrested and prosecuted.
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