IG of Police Explains Why Police Couldn’t Save Aluu4… Says They Were Chased Away With Stones

In a statement issued today in Abuja, titled
‘Update ON ON-GOING INVESTIGATIONS ON
ALUU KILLING: Rivers State: Murder of Four (4)
Students of University of Port-Harcourt:’, the
Inspector General of police explained that his
men were chased away with stones by the mob
attacking the boys. He said when a reinforced
team of policemen returned to the scene, the
boys had been killed and burnt by the mob.
“On 5th October, 2012 at about 0700Hrs, based
on a distress call that some armed robbers were
arrested at Omukiri-Aluu area in Ikwerre LGA, a
patrol team of four Policemen from Isiokpo
Divisional Police Headquarters was dispatched to
the area, a distance of about 10kms. The Police
on getting to the scene met a mob attack on four
victims who were supposedly the suspected
armed robbers. Attempt made by the Police
Patrol Team to take over the suspects were met
with stiff opposition from the mob who chased
the team with stones.
“Consequently, the Patrol Team called for
reinforcements, but unfortunately, upon the
arrival of the reinforcements, the alleged armed
robbery suspects have been stoned and burnt to
death, while the mob immediately took to their
heels. The corpses were recovered by the Police
who by then have been joined by members of
the Joint Task Force (JTF).”
The students killed were: Ugunna Obuzor- aged
18 Years; 200 Level Geology student; Lloyd Toku-
aged 19 Years; 200 Level Civil Engineering
student; Tekena Elkanah- aged 20 Years, a
Diploma Technical student and Chiadaka Odinga-
aged 20 Years, 200 Level Theatre Arts student.
The Inspector General’s statements only
confirmed the criticisms by witnesses that the
police simply abandoned the students to their
fate when they got to the scene of lynching. A
relation of one of the victims actually accused the
police of encouraging the mob to kill the boys.
However, the IGP is not joining issues with critics
but has gone on to outline the efforts the police
are making to arrest the culprits.
Abubakar said the Police immediately launched
an investigation leading to the arrest (based on
information) of Alhaji Hassan Welewa, the
Traditional Ruler of Omukiri Community, Aluu
where the heinous incident took place and
eighteen (18) others, some of whom are
members of the vigilante group of the
community.
“Intelligence report implicated Alhaji Hassan
Welewa, as being the person who incited the
mob to unleash terror on the victims. Further
investigation conducted by the police indicates
that four (4) suspects, namely: Felemo Solomon;
Cynthia Chinwo; Ozioma Abajuo and Chigozie
Samuel Evans have been closely linked to this
barbarous act.
“Findings have revealed that the victims had gone
to the area where they met their unfortunate
death earlier that morning to demand for money
allegedly owed to them by Coxson Lelebori Lucky,
alias ‘Bright’, who raised a false alarm that the
victims were armed robbers. Although, Coxson
has gone underground, Detectives are on his
trail.”
Investigation is ongoing with efforts being
intensified to track down others who are involved
in the incident. Those who are found culpable
shall be prosecuted.
Abubakar said the police have in the meantime
made a massive deployment of Policemen to the
area, including detectives to assist the State Police
Command.
“Normalcy has been restored in the area, while
the situation in the area, especially in the
University and other tertiary institutions are being
closely monitored with a view to forestalling any
untoward reactions.
“Efforts are being intensified to establish the
motive(s) behind this crime, arrest all who may
be directly or indirectly connected with the crime
and eventually bring all indicted persons to book.
“I wish to use this medium to advice and appeal
to Nigerians to see it as their civic obligation in
the fight against crime and criminality, to assist
security agencies in the discharge of their
responsibility. Security is everybody’s
responsibility and so, should not be abandoned
in the hands of security agencies alone. The
maximum cooperation of the public is needed to
ensure that Nigeria is safe for all.
“Nigerians are further reminded to avoid taking
laws into their hands, as two wrongs can never
make a right. More so, it is criminal and against
the laws of the land and those that do so will
surely be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“In addition, the IGP appeals to citizens who
might have information touching on this and
other on-going Police investigation not to hesitate
in turning over such information to the Nigeria
Police Force.
“May I assure Nigerians that the Police Force will
do everything legitimate, within its capacity, to
ensure that perpetrators of these dastardly acts
at Aluu in Rivers State are identified and made to
face the law.”
-PM News