With the groundswell of outrage trailing the gruesome murder of an Aba businessman Emmanuel Michael Okocha by suspected operatives of the Rapid Response Squad RRS of the Nigeria Police still raging, the Aba Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association has called on the Abia State Police Commissioner CP to ensure that ,the trigger happy police Corporal and all those involved in the dastardly act are not only fished out, but also made to face the full weight of the law.
The Source reports that the young Abiriba-born Aba business man was said to have died Friday April 19 at a medical facility in the commercial hub of Abia
He was allegedly short by one one the RRS operatives on the Aba/ Owerri road on Wednesday April 17 ,following his refusal to part with some money .
The Abia police command late on Saturday April 20 in a statement issued by its Spokesperson Chilaka Maureen ASP confirmed the arrest of the suspected killer corporal ,promising to ensure that justice is served .
In a statement on Monday April 22 , jointly signed by nnocent Egwu and KC Okoro Chairman and Secretary respectively,and made available to the Source , the Aba NBA,regretted the killing of Okocha ,a law graduate ,describing it as very sad.
” We have received the shocking news of the unprovoked killing by a police officer attached to the Abayi Police Division of one Emmanuel Michael Okocha ,a law graduate at a police check point along Aba/Owerri road Aba on Wednesday April 17 2024 ,.
Information at our disposal has it that the police officer shot the deceased,point blank and in a close range for refusal to give them money .
The rate at which gun welding and trigger happy police officers shoot and kill at check points innocent and law abiding citizens of this country who they are employed and paid to safeguard and protect is alarming and condemnable in very strong terms .
We therefore called on the Commissioner of Police to ensure that the police officer and others involved are not only apprehended ,full investigations conducted , but also ensure that appropriate legal consequences are effected ” the NBA stated .
The statement further noted that the Human Rights Committee of the umbrella body of lawyers in Aba has been mandate d to follow closely, proceedings with a view to ensuring that justice is served.
