… As youths barricade federal link roads, demand justice for murdered Gift
A 29-year-old birthday celebrant, identified as Gift was gruesomely murdered while celebrating his birthday with well-wishers at Obinomba community, Ukwuani local government area of Delta State.
Trouble started on the eve of Friday September 24th 2021, when the police attached to Obiaruku Divional Headquarters, in search of cult group that murdered another youth in Obiaruku, when they ran into these youths who were making Gift’s birthday in Obinomba community.
Speaking in a telephone conversation, the Councilor representing the area and Leader of Ukwuani Legislative Arm, Hon. Clarus Osaeliogor, said: “the young boy was doing his birthday at Royal King Hall opposite the market junction. It is like police came for raiding, to raid everybody at the bar where he is doing his birthday.
“The boy came out to tell the police that I am doing my birthday here, we are not fighting here, these people are celebrating with me. So, the police ran back and cracked his gun, as he cracked his gun trying to harass the boy, the boy wanted to run away, he now shot at him.
“As he shot at him on his leg, the police carried the boy in their van and left. They took the boy to the police station before they carried him to the hospital, the boy now gave up. So, the community got angry and blocked all the federal roads in Obinomba community until the Commissioner of Police will come and address them.
“And they must bring the perpetrator to book. That is what they are agitating for, the police man that shot him, must be brought to book. They boy did not confront them and it happened around 9:00 O’clock not even 10:00pm
Also speaking, a traditional title holder in the community, Chief Ikechukwu Accra, said: “Although, in Obiaruku, they said cult boys were fighting. So, they killed one of the boys according to the cult boys. So the police were going round to.make sure there is peace in the community.
“And they left their community to another community to go and kill somebody.
The situation in Obinomba now is that we are not in Obiaruku, what happened, took place in Obiaruku, the policemen just left Obiaruku to come and kill someone in Obinomba. A 29 years old boy shot to death yesterday by a policeman”, Chief Accra said.
Meanwhile, a Facebook post by one Otutu Chuks Otutu, reads: “Extra judicial Killing in Obinomba Ukwuani LGA as Men of the Nigerian Police Force Attached to the Obiaruku Police division reportedly shot dead a 29 year old boy who was Celebrating his birthday at a popular Joint in Obinomba.
“The reason behind the needless Murder of the Boy by the trigger happy Policemen is yet to be known.
“As at the time of occurrence of the ugly incident last night till this very moment, angry looking youths of Obinomba Community has caused a serious blockage to motorist and commuters along the New Sapele Agbor road in demand for Justice over the murder of their Own by the Police.
“A Very SAD situation indeed. #JusticeForGIFT”.
The women group in Obinomba community, has joined the youths in the protest, calling for justice for late Gift.
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edafe Bright, said: “Investigation is ongoing to unravel what led to the death of the boy”.
It would be recall that The Story, had reported that the police murdered a birthday celebrant identified as Gift, in Obinomba community.
