The Nigeria Police Force has opened up on the alleged killing and disappearance of some of its officers and men sent to ‘an evil forest’ in a village in Delta State, with the released of their identities.
BusinessDay reports that weeks ago, pictures of recovered corpses of some of the policemen went viral, prompting concerned citizens to demand that official position on their whereabouts be made known to the public.
Bright Edafe, the public relations officer of the Delta State Police Command, told BusinessDay then that he could not comment on the matter as it was the duty of the force headquarters to do so.
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The silence continued until last weekend when the force headquarters revealed the identities of six officers killed and six others still missing.
A statement by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson of the Nigeria Police, said six policemen were killed at a checkpoint in Ohoro village, Delta. He gave the names of the policemen as Abe Olubunmi (IRT), an inspector, enlisted on August 1, 2003; Friday Irorere (51 PMF), also an inspector, enlisted on January 1, 2003; Sergeant Kuden Elisha (51 PMF), a sergeant, enlisted on October 17, 2011; Akpan Aniette (51 PMF), also a sergeant, enlisted on October 17, 2011; Ayere Paul (IRT), a sergeant, enlisted on October 17, 2011, and Sergeant Ejemito Friday (51 PMF), a sergeant, enlisted on October 17, 2011.
“The officers currently missing include Inspector Onoja Daniel, an inspector, enlisted on February 1, 2003; Onogho Felix, an inspector, enlisted on January 1, 2004; Inspector Emmanuel Okoroafor, also an inspector, enlisted on April 1, 2004; Joel Hamidu, also an inspector, enlisted on June 1, 2006; Moses Eduvie, enlisted on October 17 2011; and Cyril Okorie, a sergeant, enlisted October 17, 2011.
He said the families of the fallen officers have been officially communicated, saying that plans were already underway to give them posthumous awards next month in Abuja.
The force spokesperson assured the bereaved families that action was also being taken to ensure early payment of all their entitlements to them to alleviate any financial burdens they might be encountering.
“The Nigerian Police Force is profoundly saddened by the devastating loss of six courageous officers in Delta State, who exhibited exceptional valour in the face of adversity.
“These brave officers tragically fell victim to a cowardly ambush by armed assailants. They were undertaking a mission to investigate the disappearance and rescue of three of their colleagues in the Ohoro Forest, Delta State, while six others are currently missing in action.
“Our hearts extend to the families, friends, and colleagues of the fallen officers during this period of profound sorrow.
“We stand in solidarity with them, offering our deepest condolences and earnestly praying for the peaceful repose of the departed souls.
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“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to honouring the memory of our fallen heroes by recognising their bravery, dedication, and sacrifice.
“The inspector general of police has mandated the deployment of all necessary resources and personnel to apprehend those responsible for this senseless killing of our officers, and this has led to the arrest of five suspects in connection with the preceding incident and the killing. They are currently volunteering information necessary for the rounding up of all the perpetrators,” the police said in the statement.
