Victims of Police brutality and extra-judicial killings in Abia State have decried the delay in the payment of N511m compensation approved for them during the last administration.
Spokesman for the group in Abia, Ositadinma Nwabuko, stated this yesterday in Umuahia, the state capital, while briefing newsmen on the delay, expressing worry over the development.
Nwabuko said the money was approved by a panel of inquiry set up by the former governor, Okezie Ikpeazu and headed by Justice Sunday Imo (rtd) following the 2020 End-SARS nationwide protest.
He explained that following the development, many of the 46 members of the chapter had become sick, even as no fewer than 15 had died following several challenges and frustrations.
”Even recently, another, an elderly man, Chief Emeh, died. Some are still lying in different mortuaries and yet to be buried due to a lack of funds,” he lamented.
The spokesman revealed that some states, including Rivers, Lagos, Ekiti, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, are among those that have settled their chapters.
He appealed to the governor, Alex Otti, to look into their plights with urgency as a majority of them were rendered homeless during the period of brutality.
”The matter was still pending when the 2023 election came. We worked assiduously and tirelessly, praying for your success. Eventually, you won and we’re happy,” he stated.
Nwabuko, who expressed confidence that the governor will come to their aid, urged him “to continue with the unprecedented good work he is doing in the state.”
