By Endy NDULAKA, South-East Investigator Bureau-chief
APPARENTLY piqued by the unprofessional conduct of a Police Inspector who unwarrantedly fired and killed a shop assistant identified as Ifeanyi Arunsi in Ebem Community, Ohafia in Abaia State, the Inspector-General of Police IGP Muhammed Adamu has called for calm describing the act as unfortunate. The Police chief also condemned in a stronger term the resort to self-help by angry youths of the community who in protest, razed down Police property running into several millions of naira. Corollary, a high powered investigation panel to be headed by a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIGP Anthony Michael Ogbizi had been emplaced by the Police IG with a view to ascertaining the remote and immediate cause of the mayhem. The Police high authority while commiserating with family and friends of the deceased person assured that justice with would be served. A statement signed by the Force public relations officer DCP Frank Mba and made available to CrimeWorld did not however, give the time lag within which the outcome of the probe panel would submit its finding but simply said “the investigation would be swift and thorough.” The statement reads: “The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu has condemned the glaring unprofessional conduct and misuse of firearms by a policeman at Ebem Ohafia area of Abia State on Friday, 17th April, 2020 which led to the unfortunate death of one Mr. Ifeanyi Arunsi. The IGP equally condemns the resort to self-help by some people and the resultant arson and damage to Government property and operational assets of the Nigeria Police Force. Meanwhile, the IGP has set-up a Special Investigation Panel headed by the DIG Anthony Michael Ogbizi, in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the unfortunate incident. The Panel will review police actions and inactions prior, during and after the death of Mr. Ifeanyi Arunsi and the circumstances surrounding the attack on the police station and damage to property.”
The statement added, “In a related development, the IGP has ordered the immediate deployment of CP Janet Agbede as the new Commissioner of Police, Abia State. She takes over from CP Okon Ene who has been redeployed to the Force Headquarters, Abuja. While condoling the family and friends of the Late Ifeanyi Arunsi, the IGP enjoins the people of Ebem Ohafia in Abia State not to take the laws into their own hands but rather allow the course of justice to prevail at all times. He assures that the investigation into this case will be swift and thorough noting that justice will surely be done to all parties.”
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