Tension is
mounting at the Millar Waterside area of Warri, Delta State, as boat operators
yesterday protested against the killing of a fellow boat operator named
Akpobolokaemi Duke, a native of Enekorogha Community in Burutu local council,
by Marine Police personnel on October 1.
It was
gathered that the deceased was coming to Warri to ferry passengers back to the
riverine communities when he was allegedly shot by the Marine Police team.
According to
reports, he was shot for earlier refusing to pay a bribe demanded by the police
team patrolling the Warri River. It was learnt that as soon as he was sighted
from afar the policemen gave him a hot pursuit with sporadic gunshots, which
led to the death of the deceased.
When
contacted yesterday, the Delta State police command said it was investigating
the incident and would make a pronouncement after a thorough investigation.
Meanwhile,
human rights lawyer and national coordinator of the Foundation for Human Rights
and Anti-Corruption Crusade (FHRACC), Alaowei Cleric, said the unprovoked
murder of the boat operator because he refused to pay a bribe should not go
unpunished and urged the Commissioner of Police to bring the policemen involved
in the killing to book.
He said:
“The unprovoked killing of a law-abiding citizen by the police is unlawful and
such act must not go unpunished. The perpetrators of this brutal murder of
Akpobolokaemi Duke must be brought to book. We are calling on the Commissioner
of Police to immediately investigate the incident and punish the culprits
appropriately.
“Let the
Police build public confidence by checkmating incidences of extra-judicial
killings. Now that the Inspector-General of Police has ordered the dismantling
of roadblocks on the roads, we appeal to the police hierarchy to also order
immediate withdrawal of the police patrol teams from the creeks since they are
becoming a tool of extortion.
“The police
have not told us on their side of the story as our team of investigators were
not allowed to interrogate them at the Marine Police division. However, in our
independent investigation, we discovered that the Marine Police actually has a
squad in the river, which specialises in extorting money from transport boats
along Warri river. Mr. Akpobolokaemi was one their victims of unlawful
extortion in the river. We do not know why they chose to murder him in cold
blood.”
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