Police Brutality Triggers  Protest in  Imo Oil-producing Community

Tony Icheku in Owerri

Police brutality yesterday  triggered off protest by women in the oil-producing area of Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.

The women, numbering over 500 stormed the street with placards, appealing to the federal government and Inspector General of Police(IG) to intervene and call the recalcitrant officers to order

They alleged that there had been consistent police brutality in their communities and their sons have all fled their homes.

Spokesperson of the protesters and women leader in the area, Mrs Anwulika Omogo, told newsmen that the police team  brutalising the communities is  led by one Inspector Okeabatta Chika (Alias Kill and Bury) a member of the disbanded  SARS police unit

The women alleged that Chika  had recruited unknown state actors including militia groups around Egbema axis which frequently go on rampage  attacking, killing, arresting innocent and law abiding residents of the community whom he labels   with criminal charges.

“Most recent is the arrest of the President General (PG) of the community, Pastor Noble Chinedu Omogo, who was  detained  in Kill and Burt’s illegal cell  at former NDDC hospital in Mmahu for  three days without investigation. 

“The  inspector boasts that he  is not answerable to both the Area Commander, DPO or any other police authority, as he is now police Traditional Ruler of Egbema.

“Egbema is a peaceful oil producing Community and we want government to intervene in this issue before it would degenerate and instigate  children to retaliate.”

Also speaking, Mrs Love Nzeoma said that the community does not want what happened in Delta to happen to them.

“We do not want our children to go on  self-defence because they have been pushed to the wall. Any action they take may affect so many other lives and government installations.

“We respect the law but we can no longer afford to keep quiet while our children are being killed daily or frivolous charges,” she  said.

Some of the placards read: ‘Police brutality must stop,” “We are tired of Kill and Bury.” “Kill and Bury stop killing innocent souls.”  “Kill and Bury allow us to sleep in peace in our community.”

When contacted, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer,  PPRO, Mr Henry Okoye, said he is yet to be briefed on the development.