Okwagbe community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, IGP, alleging plans by Owawha community, to secure the release of suspects arrested over the murder of five of their indigenes.
The victims allegedly murdered by the detained suspects, The New Diplomat learnt, were (a) Faith Miller, (b) Omotegbona Kama, (c) Dogo Ayoro, (d) Owhofasa Ajama and Tobor Jivwien.
In the petition, copies of which were forwarded to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 5; the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Police Command and Chairman Police Service Commission, the Okwagbe community said such a release would amount to miscarriage of justice.
Okwagbe Community noted that since the invasion of their community by the Owawha indigenes, the attacking community has boasted that it would deploy its contacts to release the suspects.
The Okwagbe Community in the petition, The New Diplomat learnt, declared: “While the suspects are in custody awaiting arraignment, members of Owawha community kept boasting that they have perfected plans to transfer the matter to the AIG’s Office Zone 5 Benin City and that the suspects will be release from Zone 5.
“The Owawha people also boasted that they will terminate the matter at Zone 5 and make sure no further steps are taken against the suspects.
“That as at today the 25th of November 2021, contrary to the planned arraignment of the suspects by the Delta State Police Command, the AIG’s Office Zone 5, Benin City, has requested that the matter and the suspects be transferred to it, confirming the boasting by Owawha community.”
The Okwagbe Community, which claimed in the petition to be smelling a rat by this development, further declared: “We are not comfortable with this new development, as it is very evident that the oppressors have made good their threat and wish to circumvent justice at the AIG’s Office, Zone 5, Benin City.
“It is on this account we are writing this petition to you in the interest of justice that you request that the above matter be transferred to your office at the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja or that the Delta State Police Command, which have concluded all investigations in the case, be allowed to prosecute this matter.
“Alternatively, we pray that you use your good offices to direct the matter to Force CID Abuja to be investigated and for further action.”
Efforts to get the Police Public Relation Officer, PPRO, of the Delta State Police Command to confirm receipt of a copy of the petition have not been successful at the time of filing this report.
