The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the arrest and detention of the policemen who purportedly shot a Vigilante Commander and two members of the Idjerhe Kingdom’s vigilante group.
The detained officers were alleged to have stormed Jesse town, the traditional headquarters of Idjerhe Kingdom, on the 30th of January, 2024, and shot the vigilante commander, Mr Freeborn Ofeshohwo alias Cornerstone and two other members identified as Friday Johnson and Enor Young.
Following public outcry, the state commissioner of police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, on Friday condemned the shooting of the vigilante members, disclosing that the cops had been identified and detained for their involvement in the incident.
CP 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 assured the djerhe Kingdom, particularly families of the injured victims, that the command under his watch would 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’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 would 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 assure them of justice”, Delta police commissioner added.
The arrest is coming barely 24hrs after OsunDailyNG reported the incident which led to protests across Idjerhe Kingdom on Thursday.
The three victims are 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 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.
