Rivers Community Blocks Port Harcourt – Owerri Road Protesting Killing Of Youth

PORT HARCOURT – Hundreds of women and youths from Omagwa Community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State on Sunday blocked the Omagwa session of the Port Harcourt – Owerri Road in protest of the brutal killing of one Bright Chukwuma Egbule by some police officers in the state.

Bright Chukwuma Egbule, a father of six children was allegedly shot dead by officers from Omagwa Police Division on Saturday in his compound, following a brief altercation

Our correspondent learnt that the youths who took to the streets with the lifeless body of the victim, were heading for the police station to set station ablaze, when the Chairman of Ikwerre local government area, Israel Agbosi intervened and promised to ensure that the officers responsible for the killing are fished out and made to face the law.

A family source told the Daily Independent that late Chukwuma was in his compound with his wife on Saturday night when the policemen stormed the compound and allegedly opened fire on him.

“The officers came here last night with full force. The said they are looking for drug dealer, but they came into the compound here and killed an innocent man.

“It was on that note that the community mobilised and blocked the federal road with the corpse. We want the police to provide those officers that killed Chukwuma. All we need is justice for Chukwuma.”

Addressing the protesters, Chairman of Ikwerre local government area, Israel Abosi described the incident as unacceptable and unfortunate. He appealed to the angry youths not to take laws into their hands.

Abosi vowed that the Council will not sleep on the matter, assuring them that the officers responsible for the extrajudicial killing will be made to face the law.

He however called on the Commissioner of Police to investigate the killing and ensure that the officers are fished out and punished accordingly.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the incident, noting that the police officers involved in the incident have been arrested and detained while investigation is ongoing.

Iringe-Koko, a superintendent of Police, noted that the corpse has of the victim has been deposited at the morgue, stressing that peace had been restored in the area.