… As Ogonis give 48hrs ultimatum
By: Felix Ikpotor
Following the gruesome murder of one Mr. Gospel Gbaraka by a trigger happy police officer identified simply as Inspector James, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan has assured the family and the Ogoni people that justice will be done in the matter.
Gbaraka was a security guard attached to Bulk Strategic Resources Limited located at Abonnema Wharf before his death.
Mukan who gave the assurance when he granted audience to the Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF) in company with the family of the deceased and other youths and concerned citizens who visited him to formally register their anger over the situation.
The CP stated that the command does not joke with such issues as police are meant to protect lives and properties.
He said: “ We cannot send policemen out there on duty to kill citizens that they are detailed to protect and when things like this happen, the force does not take it kindly with anybody who uses his arms unjustifiably”.
“The fire arm you are given is to protect lives and properties of citizens and not to use it against them, but be rest assured that justice must be done and you will see it being done. As we are talking, we have already put in the mercenary of internal disciplinary actions as we don’t joke when things like this happen and at the end of the day he must be brought to justice because the manner he used his firearm is unjustifiable, so the law must definitely take its course”.
“The only assurance I’m going to give you is that justice must be done and you will see it being done. He can never go unpunished if he’s found guilty, so that one nobody can cover it because I didn’t send any policeman to go and kill anybody”
He urged the family of the deceased and the Ogoni youths calm themselves as the matter will not be swept under the carpet.
The CP commended the OYF President for his effort in ensuring justice for the family of the deceased.
Earlier, President-General of OYF, Comrade Legborsi Sunday Yamaabana said the youths are angry over the incident.
“We are angered by the fact that another Ogoni hero has been killed by a trigger happy police officer, we are angered by the fact that Ogonis have suffered in the hands of the Nigerian Police for too long and this particular one is one death too many and its unacceptable to the Ogoni youths”.
Continuing he said, “ I want to condemn the gruesome murder of Gospel Gbaraka, an Ogoni youth, a very strong and committed member of the Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF), who was killed by one Inspector James. The said Inspector James is attached to the Marine Base Police Station and of course Gospel Gbaraka was a staff a company known as Bulk Strategic Resource Limited situated at Abonemma Wharf, he was doing that job just to fend for himself and his poor family. His father almost committed suicide due to the death of his only son. A boy that just graduated from the Imo State Polytechnic, few months ago that would have been the hope of this family but that hope has been cut short. The Ogoni youths are angry. Yesterday when the news broke out, Ogoni youths came out in their numbers and wanted to set police stations ablaze because of the level of anger in them but we had to intervene. I have demanded that the said officer must face justice”.
The Ogoni youths also demanded that the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike meets with the family and pacify them because “it’s the work their son was doing that they were using to fend for the family”.
The youths threatened to embark on protest if nothing is done withing forty eight hours.
“We are going to shutdown the state within forty eight hours if nothing is done and our youths are ready. We have mobilized our ranks and files. The #ENDSARS protest is a child’s play compared to what the Ogoni youths will do. We will not let the soul of this Ogoni youth to be wasted like that”.
Also speaking, father of the deceased, Mr. Vincent Gbaraka, said he is shocked to the marrow and does not know where to start as the death has caused him severe pain.
“I was in the church by 2:00pm when they called me to follow him that my son is late. I fell down and people held me. I followed them to University of Port Teaching Hospital, UPTH, only to see my son in the pool of his blood”
“I looked round and there is nowhere to hang myself if not by now I would have joined him because after training this boy through his school, he was helping to take care of the family and now he is no more. I need justice for my son. If nothing is done, I will go into the grave before him,” he said.
