CLO Threatens to Sue IG over Seven Bayelsa Policemen Killed By FSARS

The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has threatened to sue the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mohammed Adamu, if the police failed to investigate and take action on the killing of seven policemen from the Bayelsa State Police Command by members of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Ughelli, Delta State, last month. Speaking at a press conference in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on Tuesday, the state Chairman of CLO, Nengi James, and civil rights activist, Morris Alagoa, said the organisation, like many other well-meaning organisations and individuals, would not allow the matter to be swept under the carpet. The seven policemen, made up of sergeants and corporals, attached to the Bayelsa State Police Command were two weeks ago allegedly shot dead in Ughelli by some men of the FSARS, who alleged that they were involved in armed robbery. But some other accounts had alleged that the deceased were caught in the middle of an arms deal that went awry and were executed. The pictures taken from the scene of the crime showed the bodies of the deceased policemen lined up in their uniforms with bullet injuries and their rifles. CLO gave out the names of six of the seven dead policemen as Sergeants Hitler Mumbo, Dieyete Joweigha and Brown Abedinigo. Others are Omoro Akpoe, Philip Seikpo, Oyanidine Ongogha, all police corporals. But organisation said the silence of the police high command on the incident is suspicious, and called on President Muhammandu Buhari, the Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights, the Amnesty International, rights groups and the media to take up the matter. Nengi said: "In view of the current unprecedented security challenges facing Nigerians, it gives more concern when uniformed personnel, in this case, policemen, were gunned down by fellow policemen in circumstances that have been shrouded in silence from the police authorities. "Without making references to other continental and global instruments on Human Rights, the CLO draws ample strength from Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. The chapter of the constitution deals with fundamental human rights and the right to life is recognised as number one. “The CLO is interested, for the general good of all, in knowing the circumstances that led to the killing of seven serving policemen. Seeing the photos of their lifeless bodies with rifles placed on them presents an unnatural situation. We want to once again express our unacceptability of the extra-judicial killing. "Was there an exchange of gunfire? If yes, at what location or environment? At what hour of the day or night and were there no other options like immobilising the car they were traveling in? "Who are the accomplices, if these victims of FSARS were alleged criminals? Even if they were criminals, does it profit the society when such alleged criminals are killed without proper investigation and accorded fair hearing? "The above and more remains mind burgling. And that is why the questions require answers, and in the common interest, CLO is hereby calling on the IG to do the needful. "While we hope that the police high command will do what is expected, we want to also state that the president should be aware that as the head of the executive arm and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, this matter ought not to be swept under the carpet.” The group called on "the Senate and House Committees on Human Rights, the National Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International, rights groups and the media to play theirs traditional roles on this matter "It is our basic concern as an organisation that is concerned with human rights activism. We are using our strategy and tracking system in getting information and that does not mean we will abuse the office of the security. "After this press conference, we will now have some steps, including legal. We have been following the matter carefully. First we didn't have their names, now we have their names. "With their names now, we can now reach out to our legal colleagues. CLO is set to pursue this matter legally, and other human rights group will start from here because it is a national issue. "These are Nigeria Police officers, who have families. The situation is worrisome. We have never seen police execute five armed robbers the same time and now we are having a case of policemen killing seven policemen.”