THE Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, has moved to settle discontent by community youths in the area, following the death of a young man in Woji town, Port Harcourt, Nyebuchi Eke, assuring that justice will be done.
According to reports, Eke was killed by police on Monday night after his tenant, who has not been identified, invited them to arrest the landlord for tossing him out of his property over a rent dispute.
During a visit to some traditional rulers in the village, the commissioner of police, who took office only a few weeks ago, told Woji residents that justice would be served and that the policeman guilty for Eke’s killing were being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
Disu, the traditional ruler of the Woji community, swore justice for Eke, an indigene of the village, in the palace of the traditional ruler on Tuesday.
While the motive for the arrest was unclear, the deceased’s elder brother, Solomon Eke, a former Chairman of Obio-Akpor LGA, provided light on the events leading up to his death.
“The tenant went to his brother, who is a policeman, not even incidenting it properly at the Woji Police Division. He just went to his brother to ask him to help him deal with his landlord,” the senior Eke said.
“The police just went there and started manhandling him with the help of the tenant and that led to his death. We have seen the injuries on his body. The DPO of Woji wasn’t aware that this act had been done by the men of her division, but the three policemen have been arrested and they’re in detention. The complainant is also in detention.”
When the police commissioner arrived at the deceased’s home, his widow was sitting on a mat, pleading with Disu for justice for her late husband.
“My husband was killed by a police officer.” I require justice! My children are now fatherless, and I no longer have a helper. Give me justice, Sir!” She begged.
Disu, on the other hand, assured her of his steadfast dedication to pursuing justice.
In a press conference, the police chief promised the people of justice, stating that all officers involved had been arrested.
“Justice will be served. Those involved have been arrested and investigations are ongoing. I assure her [Eke’s widow] justice will be served,” he said.
“As for the youths, the elders have spoken. Let us give peace a chance. This is what the IGP has been talking about, partnering with the community and stakeholders. That has made it easy for us to solve this issue at hand. The elders and traditional rulers came out and assisted the police in dousing the tension.”
Eke’s body has been deposited in a mortuary in Chokocho, and his death has devastated the Woji village. Youths went on a rampage, threatening retaliation, but traditional rulers, the deceased’s elder brother, and the youth president, together with other stakeholders, acted quickly to quell the situation.
