Abia youths set police patrol van, building ablaze over killing of resident, Friday Arunsi

Youths of Ebem Ohafia in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State on Saturday morning, took to the streets and major roads in the community to protest the wanton killing of their son, a middle-aged man identified as Friday Arunsi by a trigger- happy security personnel.

This is coming barely 24hrs after a policeman on escort duty from one of the neighboring states killed a resident of Aba on the Uratta axis of the Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway.

While reports have it that the protesting members of the community set ablaze a Police Patrol Van belonging to the Ohafia Division, an unconfirmed report has it that another set of protesters also set ablaze the Ohafia Police Division building and released all the detained suspects in the police cell.

Sources at the community who spoke to reporters on the incident attributed the display of anger by the community to the unjust killing of Arunsi whom they identified as a hardworking man that sells provision at Eni Njoku road, Ebem Ohafia.

The sources including one Chima Ibem who couldn’t hold his emotions told our reporter that the policeman in the company of other policemen killed Arunsi and left him in the pool of his blood.

Meanwhile, as at the time of filing this report, the Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO) of Abia State Police Command, Geoffrey Ogbonna could not be reached for his response over the alleged killing of Friday Arunsi by the police officer.

In a related development, the Abia State Government has expressed shock over the extrajudicial killing of yet another citizen by security agents stationed in Ohafia local government area of the State.

This was contained in a press statement by the State Commissioner for Information, John Okiyi Kalu and made available to newsmen on Saturday.

The Governor appealed to those involved to remain calm and allow a proper investigation to be carried out, so as to bring those involved to justice.

The statement reads partly, “Abia State Government is shocked to receive the news of yet another alleged extra-judicial killing of a citizen by security agents, this time in Ohafia. We are also receiving reports of ongoing skirmishes involving community youth and security agents.

“The Governor appeals to all parties to ensure immediate restoration of calm to allow a proper investigation to be conducted with a view to bringing those who are culpable to justice.

“The Transition Council Chairman of Ohafia LGA, Prince Fred Idika, has been directed to immediately meet with the family of the bereaved and others affected by the unfortunate skirmish to express the sincere condolences of the Government of Abia State and reassure them that everything possible will be done to ensure that justice is served.

“We wish to reiterate that we will not accept the unwarranted killing of any citizen or resident of the state and demand once more that security agents enforcing the COVID-19 necessitated lockdown in the state do so within the operating guidelines for maintenance of internal security as issued to all arm bearing forces in Nigeria. The reckless killing of unarmed civilians will not be tolerated by this administration and we call for an end to it forthwith.

“Once again, we urge the youths in Ohafia in particular and the State, in general, to be calm as we shall leave no stone unturned in unraveling the circumstances that led to this latest unfortunate incident and ensure justice is served”.