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Network on Police Reform in Nigeria has written to bring to the attention of the President, President Muhammadu Buhari and to request for him to order a prompt, impartial and exhaustive investigation into the tragic and shameful episode of Saturday, August 26, 2017, in Owerri, Imo State.
NOPRIN is worried by Governor Rochas Okorocha’s propensity for violence, his self-confessed disdain for the rule of law and disregard for public opinion. The brazen display of executive lawlessness and impunity has become the hallmark of Governor Okorochas administration. “This is not the first time that the Governor of Imo State would unleash savage violence on the people he ought to be governing, targeting, especially critics and political opponents over disputes which are subjects of pending judicial proceedings,” NOPRIN noted.
In a release made available to our reporter, NOPRIN stated that on the orders of the Governor of Imo State Anayo Rochas Okorocha, a combined force of the Nigerian Army from the 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, Owerri, Imo State; operatives of the Nigerian Air Force, State Security Services, The Nigeria Police, Civil Defence, Imo Security Network, and hundreds of armed thugs allegedly imported from outside the state capital were deployed as security cover for the illegal eviction of traders at Ekeukwu Owerri market and the demolition of the market in contemptuous disregard of a restraining court order.
The petition stated further that the cruel and self-serving act of terror resulted in the death of no fewer than three citizens, one of whom has been identified as Somtochukwu Ibeanusi a 10-year-old boy who was helping his parents to evacuate their goods trapped inside their shop. Not fewer than three others sustained various degrees of injury while scores lost their goods and livelihoods at this critical period of economic challenges.
According to NOPRIN Coordinator, Comrade Nwagunma Okechukwu, the demolition is illegal and criminal because it was carried out in utter disobedience of a court order restraining the governor from taking the action pending the determination of the substantive matter before the court.
“The deployment of soldiers is unlawful and unwarranted since it was purely a civil dispute. We call for an investigation to determine whether the deployment of the military to aid the governor in his atrocious and lawless act received the approval of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
“NOPRIN calls on the President to order and ensure an end to acts which degrade the institutional and professional integrity of the military such as the reckless and unnecessary deployment of its personnel during internal security situations which the police can effectively deal with. Since it is well known that the military is trained to kill, anybody who deploys them at will and in needless and unjustifiable situations such as the case under reference can only be viewed to have premeditated to commit the extrajudicial killing.” Okechukwu said.
The organisation also calls on President Buhari to take necessary actions to put an end to the excesses of Governor Okorocha who is a member of his All Progressives Congress Party. His unconstitutional and undemocratic behaviors- including his frequent illegal deployment of military officers from the 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze and Air Force personnel must be checked. The role of the Commanders in those military formations should also be investigated.
However, investigations of the extreme and disproportionate use of force and abuse of firearms by the military and other security agencies. All those found to be responsible for the reckless shootings, killing and injuring of the victims should be identified and prosecuted. The rights of the victims to timely and adequate compensation and remedies should be guaranteed.
