Hon. Makwe Livinus Makwe representing Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives of Ebonyi State has lamented the killing of Mr. Amobi Igwe of Ishiagu, Ivo LGA, by a Civil Defence operative. Amobi Igwe died from gun shot wounds of an operative of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), identified as Mr Eke Richard while enforcing lockdown order at Usuma Junction along Umuahia – Aba – Port Harcourt road on 15th April, 2020. In a statement issued and made available to journalists in Abuja on Friday, the lawmaker explained that the manner with which the deceased was killed was not in consonance with the rules of engagement, hence, he is asking the relevant authorities to ensure that justice is carried out. The statement read: “The execution-style killing of Amobi Igwe (shot in the head at close range according to eye witness account) which took place at Umuika junction along Umuahia –Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway on Wednesday April 15, 2020 while he was conveying food items (rice and yam) from Ishiagu in Ebonyi State to Aba, Abia state, is a gross abuse of the rules of engagement and a total disregard for the sanctity of human life. “He was travelling with another young man from Ishiagu, who managed to escape alive by the whiskers and is still traumatized by the whole horrible incident. “Mr Amobi was not in any way violating the lockdown order put in place by the States and Federal Governments, as a measure to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, because food items transportation was exempted from the restrictions as the people need to feed to be alive. “This barbaric act once again calls to mind the incessant calls by well-meaning Nigerians that our law enforcement agencies must always ensure that their personnel follow all approved protocols and best practices on arms handling. “At no point should an armed security operative direct his firearm to hapless, unarmed and harmless citizens they are trained and paid to protect. “I strongly condemn the brutal killing of Mr Amobi Igwe by the trigger-happy NSCDC operative. “I hereby call on the Inspector General of Police, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, the Abia Police Command and the Abia State Commandant of the NSCDC to ensure that the culprit, who I understand is already in the custody of Abia State Police Command, faces the full wrath of the law. “The timely and dispassionate prosecution and punishment of this operative of the NSCDC that mauled down an innocent, law abiding Nigerian citizen in broad daylight should be vigorously pursued by the Nigerian Police Force to ensure that justice is done. “That will also serve as a deterrent to others in order to save helpless Nigerian citizens from untimely death caused, over and over again, by the same people paid to protect them. “Late Amobi Igwe, whose life has been cut short in his prime, was just about 36 years old. He was the breadwinner of his family and has left behind a young wife, four little children and aged parents. The lawmaker urged the youth of the affected communities not to take law into their hands, saying that justice would be done as regards the murder of Amobi Igwe. Reacting to the development, the NSCDC, Abia State Command in a statement said late Amobi Igwe upon sighting operatives and having been flagged down, skidded off while in the attempt, he brushed the operative with his car.
“According to our source, on 15th April 2020, at about 1710 hours operatives of the Corps while enforcing State government lockdown order flagged down the driver identified as Amobi Igwe from Ishiagu in Ebonyi State at a checkpoint at Umuekea to ascertain whether he was a essential service provider for being on the road.
“In the process the driver sped off dangerously, skidded over the barricade and brushed the officer of the car.” NSCDC further explained that the deceased was not meant to be killed, but was unfortunately hit by stray bullet targeted at the tyre of his car.
