The Chairman Abia State Judicial Panel of Enquiry on Police Brutality, Extra-Judiciary Killings and other related matters, Retired Justice Sunday Imo, has restated that the thrust of the panel is “to do justice and solicited the co-operation of all” and sundry so that “justice will flow”.
Retired Justice Imo made the assertion when the representatives of residents of Oko Jumbol/Ntueke/Umuosi/Degema zones of Ndiegoro Community Aba were narrating the ordeal and brutality they were experiencing in the hands of police.
Narrating his experience one of the petitioners and residents of the area,Pastor (Engr) Uchechukwu Ikwuo, alleged that the area was infected with illicit drug barons, adding that from time to time Police officers visit those drug lords and get settled.
On the day in question, flow”.
Retired Justice Imo made the assertion when the representatives of residents of Oko Jumbol/Ntueke/Umuosi/Degema zones of Ndiegoro Community Aba were narrating the ordeal and brutality they were experiencing in the hands of police.
Narrating his experience one of the petitioners and residents of the area,Pastor (Engr) Uchechukwu Ikwuo, alleged that the area was infected with illicit drug barons, adding that from time to time Police officers visit those drug lords and get settled.
On the day in question, September 27, 2019, there was altercation between the drugs barons and the police officers which eventually led to the killing of one of the police men.
He alleged that the unfortunate incident propelled the police to invade the area and embark on massive arrest and detention of residents of the area, brutalizing, looting and even burning down of residential and business premises.
To collaborate his story, three minor children, Miss Chiamaka Joseph, Female, aged 13,Miss Oluebube Okereke, Female, aged 17,and Kinsley Ogbonnaya, male, aged 16,all testified before the Panel and on how they were arrested from their homes and detained from September 27,2019,till October 1,2019 when they were bailed from police detention while in Police detention they were brutalized and beaten without mercy.
On getting homes, they discovered that their houses have not only be looted but their property destroyed and worst of all, some of their houses were set ablaze.
However DSP, FC.Okafor the counsel to the police maintained that the genesis of the crisis of residents of Oko Jumbo/Ntueke/Umuosi/Degema Zone of Ndiegoro community Aba,was the brutal killing of inspector of Police while on official duty in the area.
The matter has been adjourned till February 11,2021 for further hearing.