UPU YOUTH SEC. BLASTS ARMY OVER KILLINGS OF THREE POLICEMAN IN TARABA
OGHENETEJIRI NYERHOVWO
The Nigerian Army has been berated over the gruesome killing of three gallant policemen and a civilian by its troops of 93 Battalion in Taraba just as the action has been described as uncivilized and embarrassment to the nation.
This was disclosed by Com. Efemena Umukoro, chairman, Social Patriotic Youths Initiative(S.P.Y.I.) in a statement made available to National Reformer in Abraka, he said that such uncivilized action of the Nigerian security apparatus is the reason why the war against insecurity has remained largely not been won.
Com. Umukoro who is also Secretary, Youth (Ighele)Wing, Urhobo Progress Union(UPU) said that the killing of the police officers alongside a civilian in Takum, Taraba State while on a covert mission on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 was one of the biggest unprofessional, barbaric and inhuman behaviour of one of the a Army.
Com. Umukoro condemned in very strong terms the killing, saying the Nigeria Army should handover the overzealous military officers who carried out the dastard act to the police for proper investigation or detain them in their facility pending the determination of the outcome of the joint investigating panel set up by the army and the police headed by deputy inspector general of police, Mike Ogbizi.
He called on the panel to be unbiased in its investigation and make it’s report public saying that the Army authorities has some questions to answer, “what is the name of the person who released the handcuffed suspect, Alhaji Hamisu that was being taken to Jalingo by the operatives and where is the suspect at the moment.
The human rights activist also asked the Army authorities for the identity of the person who gave the command for the troop to fire at the police officers, and at the moment where are the military officers who killed the policemen as well as who made the distress call and is the army authorized to fire a car conveying alleged kidnap kingpin?
Com. Unukoro insisted that the matter should not be swept under the carpet as it will kill the morale of the Nigeria police officers and reduce the faith and trust Nigerians have on the military as an institution of government.
According to him, ” the rate at which the Nigeria army has been involved in extra judicial killings nationwide is alarming and embarrassing to the nation. Does it mean that the Nigeria Police will protect themselves from being killed by bandit, armed robbers and at the same time being killed by a sister security agency?”
He called on the Nigeria Police Force and the federal government to look critically at the issue as the enemy of the Nigeria nation is sowing a seed of discord to discourage the Nigeria police from doing their work, thereby giving way to criminals and their sponsors to have a field day on the citizens.
He spoke further, “the Nigeria Policeman is someone’s husband, he is someone’s uncle, he is someone’s father and son, who has decided to sacrifice his life, time and all for the safety of Nigerians. They need our prayers and support.”
Com. Umukoro called President Muhammadu Buhari to give the gallant fallen policemen posthumous award, adding, “we use this medium to appeal to our president, Muhammadu Buhari, who believes in rewarding hard work with promotion and more work to kindly honor these late heroes with a posthumous award in recognition of their outstanding performance and bravery in fighting crime and criminality in our nation. If the federal government can do this, it will awaken the morale of the Nigeria police to continue to work hard, protect lives and properties of Nigerians.”
He then consoled with the authorities of the Nigeria Police over the brutal killing of its fine officers in the line of their duties, adding, “may I use this medium to send my condolences to the Nigeria Police Force headed by Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu and let them to know that they are not alone in this trying time, you should continue to do your job in safeguarding lives and properties of Nigerians irrespective of the challenges before you.”
He spoke further, “as the state chairman of Social Patriotic Youths Initiative, Delta State, I and the Delta council members send our condolences to their families as well. We pray God give them the fortitude to bear this painful and irreplaceable lost. We also appeal to the federal government to ensure the widows and families of the slain police officers are not neglected.”
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