A civil society group, the League of Igbo Youth Lawyers, has criticized the Anambra State Commissioner of Police CP Ikioye Orutugu, over his alleged threat to shut the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of the state, at the wake of gunmen attack and killings that occurred in the community last Thursday.
The group alleged that the CP had threatened to shut the school during his visit to the scene of the attack on Friday, where he went to engage with the leadership of the town’s union and student union leaders.
The lawyers further claimed that the CP, during the meeting with the stakeholders, blamed the residents for the attacks and allegedly threatened to send the police to deal with the people if the disturbances continued.
Some yet-to-be-identified assailants last Thursday, June 19, attacked the Oko community, near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, killing no fewer than four persons suspected to be students and injuring about seven others.
The hoodlums also kidnapped two other persons, thereby causing panic in and around the institution.
The hoodlums were said to have arrive the area and started shooting sporadically in an incident that was later attributed to be cult-related by the police authorities.
South-East Punch gathered that during the visit on Friday, the CP also interacted with the hospital’s management, where some of the victims were receiving treatment and also offered some assistance.
In a viral video that circulated online, the CP was seen engaging the town’s union leadership and other stakeholders.
Reacting to the development, the group, in a communique issued by its National Secretary, Obinnaya Asiegbu and made available to South-East Punch in Awka, on Monday, wondered how the CP, felt justified to employ “blame tactics” on the innocent community even when investigations into the tragedy were supposed to be ongoing.
The communique read in part, “As legal practitioners, we view with dismay, comments of blame and threat levied against the beleaguered community of Oko in Anambra State by CP IkioyeOrutugu, during his recent visit to the town on the heels of the current bloody attacks by gunmen on innocent Nigerians living in the community.
“We note that investigations into the tragic attacks are supposed to be ongoing at the time of the CP’s visit; therefore, to put the blame on the door of the community or the students was most unworthy. Blaming innocent residents of the area for the security lapses and threatening to shut the institution in the community in an incident that led to loss of lives, rather than conducting an investigation, is most unjustified.”
Also in his reactions, the Executive Director of the Group, Stanley Okafor, said he was still searching law books to find any “law or Act” of the National Assembly which gave the Anambra police commissioner powers to shut down a federal institution as recorded in the meeting.
“Obviously, Mr.Orutugu stepped beyond his bounds by threatening to shut down the Federal Polytechnic Oko under any guise.
“Given the magnitude of the security failure that happened in the town, we expected to see a sombre police chief who would commit himself to greater efforts to forestall future occurrences, not the concerted efforts put up by the CP to blame or threaten the community or the frightened students,” Okafor added.
The group called on appropriate authorities to ensure that enhanced security was put in place in Oko community, and that the constitutional rights of Nigerians in the locality and its environs were respected, while those behind the recent mayhem in the town are unmasked and brought to justice.
However, the state Police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disagreed with the group’s claims, insisting that the CP only engaged the community meaningfully, urging residents not to be discouraged from exposing unrepentant criminals in the state.
Ikenga said the joint security force has stepped up surveillance and patrols to nip in the bud, any untoward situation, adding that following the recent security assessment, the Anambra State Police Command has reiterated the importance of community participation in maintaining security and preventing crimes.
“Consequently, the state police command urges residents not to be discouraged, but to remain vigilant and cooperative with the security agencies in exposing unrepentant criminals in the state.
“By doing so, residents can play a crucial role in helping the Police to maintain law and order, prevent crimes, and ensure public safety.
“Meanwhile, the Joint Security Team have stepped up surveillance and patrols to deter crime and maintain order.
“In the event of request for any security services, please call the Command Control Room Number on 07039194332 or PPRO on 08039334002 for a prompt response. The ‘npf rescue me app’ is also available for free download on both Android and iOS devices for Android and iPhone users respectively. You can also call the various Area Commanders or DPOs in your areas of concern as you can find attached, please,” Ikenga added.
-Advertisement-
Grab our latest Magazine, "Hon. Chief C.O.C Akaolisa gets justice". Get your order fast and stress free.
For more details about Newswire Law&Events Magazine, kindly reach out to us on 08039218044, 09070309355. Email: newswiremagazine@yahoo.co.uk. You will be glad you did
