SaharaReporters had reported that hundreds of youths on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest following the killing of a yet-to-be-identified man in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
The police in Delta State, Southern Nigeria, have ordered the arrest and detention of Insp. Ebri Ubi for killing a man identified as Onyeka Ibe for refusing to give a bribe of N100 in Asaba, the state capital.
SaharaReporters had reported that hundreds of youths on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest following the killing of a yet-to-be-identified man in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
The deceased man has now been identified by the police as Onyeka Ibe. Ibe was a phone seller in the popular Ogbeogonogo market and was killed by a policeman attached to the state police command over his alleged refusal to give a bribe of N100.
Protesting youths on Wednesday demanded justice for the slain phone dealer and vowed to mobilise more youths for more protests until justice was served.
However, the command spokesman, Bright Edafe, in a statement issued on Wednesday evening, said the police commissioner on receipt of the sad news immediately ordered the arrest and detention of the errant police officer and directed his transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department.
Edafe assured that the offending officer will be subjected to internal disciplinary measures, including criminal prosecution.
He appealed to members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding, stressing that justice will not just be done but will be seen to have been done.
The statement reads in part, "The Commissioner of Police Delta State CP Ari Muhammed Ali FCIA, psc+, has expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of late Mr. Onyeka Ibe, who was reportedly shot dead on the 5/4/2023 at about 0930 hours by an Inspector of Police, one Inspr. Ebri Ubi, while on Stop and Search duty along Ugbolu-Illah Road, Oshimili North LGA, Delta State.
"The Commissioner of Police on receipt of the sad news immediately ordered the arrest and detention of the errant police officer and directed that his transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Asaba where he has further ordered for a thorough and speedy investigation.
"The CP noted that for the Force, being a disciplined organization, will not condone such cruel action by any member of the Force assuring that the offending Officer will be subjected to internal disciplinary measures, including criminal prosecution.”
"He, therefore, appealed to members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them justice will not just be done but will be seen to have been done," the statement added.