Family of slain businessman calls for prosecution of identified officer
Lagos State Police Command yesterday, revealed the identity of the officer, who allegedly shot two guests at a birthday party held at a bar in Egbeda area of the state.
The sad incident occurred on Sunday April 24, at about 9:00 p.m., where others were also injured. The Command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement, said: “Findings revealed that the off-duty officer is a friend of the celebrant, Ifeanyi aka Obama and was not at the party in any official capacity.
“Efforts are currently being intensified to apprehend the fleeing birthday celebrant, while the officer involved is expected to turn himself in any time soon.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police has given firm assurance that everyone found culpable in the sad and avoidable incident will be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Also, the family and associates of one of the slain businessmen, Mr. Chikere Obieshi, aged 38, popularly known as JB, yesterday, called for justice over the killing.
Representatives of the family, who spoke at a press conference, in front of the deceased’s shop at Computer Village, Ikeja, said only justice will compensate the void the killing of their son has caused.
Carrying placards with various inscriptions such as ‘justice for JB’, ‘face of police officer that killed JB’, and ‘justice for Chikere Obieshi’, aggrieved friends and family members of the businessman demanded that the Nigeria police must fish out the killer cop and bring him to justice.
According to the family, the late businessman, described as a legitimate phone dealer was invited by a supposed friend called Mr. Ifeanyi Uchendu aka Asiwaju to grace his birthday party last Sunday, only to be gunned downed by a police inspector, identified as Mohammed Ussini.
The family through one, Anayo Chukwu Obieshi, told newsmen that their brother was only at the party for less than two hours, when he was shot dead by the policeman, while he was dancing and spraying money on the celebrant.
Angered by the brutal murder of their breadwinner, the family called on the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to ensure justice for JB. They equally enjoined the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, and AIG Zone 2 to come to their aid so that the alleged killer will not go unpunished.
Crying for justice in an emotion-laden voice, the deceased’s younger brother, Osigwe Stanley said: “All the things he used to do in the house, who wants to do them?
“You that killed him, do you want to take his place, now that you’ve killed my elder brother, what do you want to do with his dead body? Come and take his responsibilities now, if you can take half of his responsibilities.”
The deceased’s wife, Mrs Vivian Ifeanyiwa Obieshi, said: “ I am heartbroken, bitter and all I want is justice for my husband. He is someone who is always his brothers’ keeper. My husband is not a troublemaker; he is a very friendly person.”
