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Insecurity: Officers revolt, demand immediate resignation of Police boss over killing of 25 cops in Niger Delta
Police officers in Delta State and beyond have demand the immediate resignation of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, following the unbridled insecurity that resulted to the killing of 6 officers at Ohoro Forest in the state.
The officers reportedly went for rescue of kidnapped victims in Ughelli, Delta State, in the month of February 2024.
According to a police source, following their failure to return the next day, nineteen police men went to the same bush for search and possible rescue but simply vanished.
The source told Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) on condition of anonymity that they were killed, and their guns carted away.
What is the official figure?
According to official police authorities, the deceased officers include:
- Inspector Abe Olubunmi (IRT) enlisted on 1st August, 2003;
- Inspector Friday Irorere (51 PMF) enlisted on 1st January, 2003;
- Sergeant Kuden Elisha (51 PMF) enlisted on 17th October, 2011;
- Sergeant Akpan Aniette (51 PMF) enlisted on 17th October, 2011;
- Sergeant Ayere Paul (IRT) enlisted on 17th October, 2011; and,
- Sergeant Ejemito Friday (51 PMF) enlisted on 17th October, 2011.
Meanwhile, the officers currently missing-in-action are:
- Inspector Onoja Daniel enlisted 1st February, 2003;
- Inspector Onogho Felix enlisted on 1st January, 2004;
- Inspector Emmanuel Okoroafor enlisted 1st April, 2004;
- Inspector Joel Hamidu enlisted 1st June 2006,
- Sergeant Moses Eduvie enlisted 17th October, 2011, all of 51 PMF; and,
- Sergeant Cyril Okorie (SWAT) enlisted 17th October, 2011.
Barely few weeks after the insecurity incident, another case of senseless indiscriminate ensued.
The later incident saw the slaughter of sixteen Army personnel in the same Niger Delta.
According to Army sources, 16 military personnel, including a Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 soldiers were murdered by suspected youths of Okuama community.
The recent killing elicited a reprisal attack from soldiers that saw a whole community decapitated.
When armed officers become victim of insecurity
One, by the way, will then dare to ask: “when armed officers become victim of insecurity and indiscriminate slaughter in Nigeria, what then becomes of the hapless, defenceless citizenry?”
The mass murder of 25 police officers and 16 military personnel become evidence of the monstrous insecurity that has bedeviled the country.
Such insecurity has disastrously battered the country since the days of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
It, however, seemed to have reached a crescendo under the watch of the immediate past former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari, seemingly, ran the affairs of the country from another planet.
Several times when confronted with issues of insecurity across the length and breadth of the country, he almost always responds with his signature “I am not awaya’ (aware)”.
Officers demand quick resignation of Inspector General of Police
Consequent upon the killing of their colleagues, a group of rank-and-file officers have demanded the resignation of the Inspector General of Police, Egbetokun.
In a video obtained by DDM, some citizens, including cops, were seen protesting the killing of police officers.
The protesters lamented that police authorities could not issue any statement respecting the killing of those officers.
Watch a video clip of the protest against insecurity below:
Deltans protest the killing of police officers in the state. pic.twitter.com/CT7dZpqq3p
— Tim Elombah (@TimElombah) March 23, 2024
They further regretted that while the military is combing everywhere to fish out the killers of their men, police authorities stand aloof and watch insecurity fester.
One of the officers told DDM: “In the month of February six police went for rescue of kidnapped victims in Ughelli in Delta State and did not return back.
“The following day, 19 police men went to the same bush and they were killed. Their guns were also carted away.
“The police authority could not border to look for their course as if they were animals.
“And after some days, valiant went that same bush and recovered six body of the police men who went for that operation.
“This could not touch the Inspector General of Police and the IGP image maker.
“Till now, no newspaper carried the news of the death of these police officers who died while trying to rescue kidnap victims.
“I wonder what they will tell the family of the slain officers and their children.”
A cry to the president over nagging insecurity
In seeking redress and justice for the slain officers, the source said:
“Please help us deliver this message to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency and Grand Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic, Senator Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu over the killing of police personnel in Delta State, and their arms taken away by the kidnappers.
“We demand for the resignation of the Inspector General of Police over the killing of personnel which he conceded to himself.
“The failed transfer which took place in the same month of February shows that the IGP is incompetent to handle the position of Inspector General of Police as far as insecurity is concerned.
“He lacks the administrative knowledge to know that at this very time that the country is facing insecurity, transfer should not take place.
“We also want to draw Mr. President’s attention to the case of DCP Aba Kyari.
“Sir, we want to beg you, Mr. President, to kindly release him and task him to fight insecurity.
“That is the only man that can reduce and fight insecurity. He has done it before, sir. We have confidence in him.
“I don’t know him in person but I know him by the work he did.
“He might actually have made mistakes, but, sir, pardon him. Give him a task and tell him report to you directly.
“Mr. President, for you to win the fight against insecurity, you need to have some trusted security team who will work directly with you and report to you, sir.
“Please, sir, security men are dying every day, sir, save our life.
“It’s impossible for untrained men to defeat government’s trained security agents; people in government are definitely involved.
“Our barracks and home are full of regrets; save our lives, sir.”
Police awakens from slumber; to honour slain officers
Reacting belatedly to the hoopla that attended the insecurity and killing of its officers, the Police Force has finally expressed readiness to honour the slain officers.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, March 23.
ACP Adejobi said: “Our hearts extend to the families, friends, and colleagues of the fallen officers during this period of profound sorrow.
“We stand in solidarity with them, offering our deepest condolences and earnestly praying for the peaceful repose of the departed souls.
He added: “Furthermore, the Nigeria Police Force is committed to honouring the memory of our fallen heroes by recognizing their bravery, dedication, and sacrifice.
“In accordance with this commitment, the Force will posthumously honour the slain officers for their noble service and ultimate sacrifice at the Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations Ceremony scheduled for April 5th, 2024 in Abuja.
“In response to this grievous loss, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun Ph.D., NPM, has taken decisive actions as expected.
“The bodies of six (6) of the slain officers have been recovered after a fierce search conducted by a combined team of police officers and other security outfits.
“The Force is focused on the search for the other six (6) officers; while all their families have been duly contacted.
“Additionally, the Inspector General of Police has mandated the expedited processing and payment of all entitlements due to the families of the fallen officers, aiming to alleviate any financial burdens they may encounter in this challenging time”.
Adejobi said immediate measures have been initiated to ensure that justice is served swiftly and the perpetrators of insecurity brought to justice.
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