 |
| Slain UNIPORT Students |
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, on Monday said the mob that killed four students of the University of Port Harcourt at Aluu in Rivers State on October 5, 2012 chased a detachment of policemen away from the scene with stones.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the IG said that around 7a.m on the said day, the police received a distress call that suspected armed robbers had been arrested were arrested at Omukiri-Aluu area in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.
He said a patrol team of four policemen from Isiokpo Divisional Police Headquarters was swiftly sent to the area only to meet a mob attack on four young men.
He said when the team attempted to take over the suspects, it was repelled with stones by the mob.
“Consequently, the patrol team called for reinforcements, but unfortunately, upon the
arrival of the reinforcements, the alleged armed robbery suspects had been stoned
and burnt to death, while the mob immediately took to their heels.
“The corpses were recovered by the police who by then had been joined by members of the Joint Task Force.
“The victims were later identified to be students of University of Port Harcourt. They are namely:
(i) Ugunna Obuzor- aged 18 Years; 200 Level
Geology student;
(ii) Lloyd Toku- aged 19 Years; 200 Level Civil
Engineering student;
(iii)Tekena Elkanah- aged 20 Years, a Diploma
Technical student
(iv)Chiadaka Odinga- aged 20 Years, 200 Level
Theatre Arts student.
“The police immediately launched an investigation leading to the arrest (based on
information) of Alhaji Hassan Welewa, the traditional ruler of Omukiri Community,
Aluu where the heinous incident took place and eighteen (18) others, some of who are
members of the vigilante group of the community.
“Intelligence report implicated Alhaji Hassan Welewa, as being the person who incited
the mob to unleash terror on the victims. Further investigation conducted by the
police indicates that four (4) suspects, namely: Felemo Solomon; Cynthia Chinwo;
Ozioma Abajuo and Chigozie Samuel Evans have been closely linked to this barbarous
act.
“Findings have revealed that the victims had gone to the area where they met their
unfortunate death earlier that morning to demand for money allegedly owed to them
by Coxson Lelebori Lucky, alias ‘Bright’, who raised a false alarm that the victims were
armed robbers. Although, Coxson has gone underground, detectives are on his trail.
“Investigation is ongoing with efforts being intensified to track down others who are
involved in the incident. Those who are found culpable shall be prosecuted,” Abubakar said.
The IG said he had already ordered a massive deployment of policemen in the area, “including
detectives to assist the state police command. Normalcy has been restored in the
area, while the situation in the area, especially in the university and other tertiary
institutions are being closely monitored with a view to forestalling any untoward
reactions.
“Efforts are being intensified to establish the motive(s) behind this crime, arrest all
who may be directly or indirectly connected with the crime and eventually bring all
indicted persons to book.”
Source: Punch
No comments:
Post a Comment