NEWS
Demotion Of Police Officers Who Survived Gunmen’s Attack Sparks Outrage
The decision by the Police authorities to demote three officers in the Nsukka Division, Enugu state, who narrowly escaped an attack by unknown gunmen a few months ago, has triggered widespread public anger.
The officers in question, namely Inspector Ernest Ogbonna AP No 201118, Inspector Aboh Justin AP No 274182, and Inspector Kingsley Ugwuja AP No 326239, were on duty along Nsukka-Ibagwa Ani road last June when they came under attack by over ten heavily armed hoodlums arriving in a white Hilux and Siena bus.
The daring criminals initiated gunfire towards the officers, prompting the courageous policemen to return fire, the intense exchange of bullets lasted for approximately one hour.
Following this fierce confrontation, the police officers managed to fend off the attackers and drive them away.
Some of the criminals sustained injuries during the altercation. Regrettably, the criminals managed to set fire to the police van, but fortunately, there were no casualties, the police retained their firearms, and none of the officers on the team were injured.
Following their fortunate escape, police sources revealed that the officers were subjected to a formal inquiry, resulting in an orderly room trial.
Subsequently, the trial’s outcome led to a demotion in rank for these valiant officers. This decision was further validated by the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) at Zone 13, Ukpo, Anambra state, responsible for overseeing police activities in Enugu and Anambra states.
The news of this disciplinary action sent shockwaves through the ranks of both police commands, as officers in these regions have frequently been targeted by criminals posing as “unknown gunmen” in ongoing attacks.
Police officers who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid being punished told reporters that they had been in a very low spirit after the unfair punishment was meted out to the gallant officers.
According to the officers, “Does it mean that the authorities expected them to die and be decorated in death after they performed so gallantly? There were only three ill-equipped officers but they were able to confront a heavily armed gang of criminals numbering over ten.
“They came out without injuries and loss of arms yet the accolade police gave them was to try them and reduce their ranks. This is outrageous and we cry to high heavens for justice.”
Reports indicate that the affected officers have lodged appeals against the perceived injustice they faced and are now anxiously anticipating a response from the Inspector General of Police.
Meanwhile, a human rights organization in Enugu, the Alliance for Justice, has voiced concerns about the deteriorating morale among officers, particularly in Enugu state. They argue that the unjust orderly room trial has significantly contributed to this decline in morale.
The group’s spokesman, Dr. Okwui Eze lamented: “This is the greatest height of injustice I have seen in this century. Just a few days ago, gallant police officers and soldiers were gruesomely killed by these criminals in Imo state; see the incessant kidnappings now going on in Enugu state and at the end of the day, the police will wickedly treat their gallant officers that survived such attack in this heart-rending manner.
“Where then lies justice? How do you expect our long-suffering and ill-equipped officers and men to continue to fight criminals?
In response to the situation, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Enugu State Command, Dan Ndukwe, stated that he would seek to verify and confirm the exact details of the trial.
He said “orderly trial is purely an internal administrative or disciplinary matter of the NPF. Hence if any police personnel is aggrieved with the outcome of such trials, he/she certainly knows the best channel through which judgments are appealed”.
In the midst of political tensions, the faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara has conducted the screening and confirmation of legal expert Dagogo Israel Iboroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as the Commissioner-designate.
Led by Speaker Victor Oko Jumbo, the faction endorsed Commissioner-nominee Dagogo Iboroma on Monday, within the Chambers of the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt.
Iboroma is poised to assume the role of Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, succeeding Professor Zaccheus Adangor SAN, who resigned upon his redeployment to the Ministry of Special Duties (Governor’s office) two weeks ago.
According to report, Iboroma received an invitation on Sunday, signed by Dr. G.M. Gills-West, the Clerk of the House, summoning him for screening as the Commissioner nominee and potential member of the Rivers State Executive Council.
Recall that last week, Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo, a factional Speaker aligned with Governor Fubara, was elected after Governor Fubara asserted that the Martin Amaewhule-led lawmakers, loyal to Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital, ceased to be Rivers State lawmakers in the eyes of the law following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Observers speculate that Governor Fubara is pushing forward to instigate governance activities, with more Commissioner nominees expected to undergo screening by the Victor Oko Jumbo-led three-man Lawmakers.
However, our correspondent highlights that the invitation for screening is already stirring controversies.
In a Facebook post by lawyer Oraye St Franklyn, he raised various legal issues.
Former Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker, Edison Ehie has revealed that he was offered money to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Ehie, now serving as Chief of Staff to the governor, was previously the majority leader when the first attempt to impeach Fubara took place.
Along with a few others, he opposed the move, leading to a split from the lawmakers loyal to Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Ehie later became the speaker of the faction, which disbanded after President Bola Tinubu intervened and a peace accord was signed between the Wike and Fubara camps.
The peace efforts faltered shortly thereafter, and the two factions resumed their conflict.
Speaking at an event in Ahoada East area of Rivers State over the weekend, Ehie reiterated that he was offered money to oust the governor.
While he didn’t reveal the identities of those behind the offer, he affirmed that he declined it.
He said “They invited me, your son, to impeach the governor and I told them clearly, I was not interested. They gave me all the money that was hidden before, which I rejected. And because I refused, they conspired and declared me wanted.”
Recall that in 2023, the police declared the Chief of Staff wanted in connection with the invasion of the State House of Assembly.
Also, in October 2023, an explosion rocked the state assembly building amidst reports of lawmakers attempting to impeach Fubara.
The lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule reportedly lodged criminal complaints against Ehie with the Rivers State Police Command over the invasion and arson of the Rivers State House of Assembly chambers by unidentified hoodlums.
Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led a raucous protest at the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) headquarters in Abuja against the recent spike in electricity tariffs on Monday.
According to report, protesters, including workers from the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), forcefully entered the NERC complex on Monday.
Workers, supported by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, besieged various electricity distribution company offices in defiance of the Band A tariff increase.
This nationwide agitation, sparked by the Federal Government’s removal of subsidies and tariff adjustments, threatened to paralyze key power sector institutions including NERC’s Abuja headquarters, the Ministry of Power, and state distribution company offices.
Recall that NERC’s had April 3, announced the electricity tariffs hike for Band A customers from N68/kWh to N225 per kilowatt-hour.
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