Murder of 10-yr-old boy: Police pathologist due in Imo Tuesday

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OWERRI— Barring any unforeseen circumstance, pathologist of  Nigeria Police Force is scheduled to arrive Owerri,Tuesday, as investigation into the gruesome murder of 10-year old Somtochukwu Ibeanusi continues. This came as the Igbo Civil Society Coalition, ICSCO, a human rights group,  has condemned the alleged shooting of unarmed civilians by a combined team of soldiers and policemen during the demolition of Ekeukwu market.

Addressing journalists at Government House after the Security Council meeting, Governor Rochas Okorocha said: “The council reaffirmed that nobody was killed in Ekeukwu Owerri market as a result of the demolition.” Confirming this development exclusively to Vanguard, yesterday, in a telephone interview, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ezike, explained that the pathologist would conduct post mortem examination on Somtochukwu to unravel the cause of the boy’s death. “The pathologist would have been in Owerri by Monday, but for the Sallah holiday. While in Owerri, he would carry out post mortem examination on the dead boy to ascertain the cause of death,” the CP said. According to the Imo police boss, the late boy’s family has been properly briefed about the visit of the pathologist. “Since we have briefed the late boy’s family about the pathologist’s visit, they are at liberty to invite any pathologist or medical doctor of their choice to be part of the autopsy,” Ezike said. Militants, youths’ clash Meanwhile, more facts on last Wednesday’s evening clash between a group of militants from Ohaji/Egbema local council area of the state and Owerri youths has emerged, even as the CP confirmed that no life was lost. Vanguard investigation revealed that eight people were said to be wounded and several vehicles vandalized. Innocent citizens, including a female staff of an Owerri-based tabloid, simply identified as Nkechi, was also robbed by the rampaging militants. ICSCO  chides Okorocha over killings ICSCO in a statement in Enugu, yesterday, blasted Imo State government for going ahead with the demolition of the market despite subsisting court order. National Coordinator of the group, Prof. Obasi Igwe,  with Convener, Mazi Bismarck Oji, in the statement called for the immediate investigation of the extra-judicial shootings/killing(s) and for the culprits to face prompt and diligent prosecution in order to serve as a deterrent to officers and men of Nigerian security services . The group said: “It is indeed the height of illegality to achieve development through extrajudicial means. “Also, we condemn the willingness of the Nigerian Army to allow its officers and men to be involved in the management of civilian protests despite the recent assertion by the Speaker, House of Representatives that such was in contravention of its constitutional role. “ICSCO urges the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as the national assembly to prevail on the armed forces to leave the management of civilian protests to the Police  to reduce unwarranted loss of lives.” The group urged the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police to carry out an investigation to fish out those involved in the extra judicial shootings/killing(s). Boy’s  death not connected with Ekeukwu relocation—Okorocha In a related development, a security council meeting presided over by Governor Rochas Okorocha with service chiefs and government functionaries was held at Government House Owerri, yesterday, to review the security situation in the state and agreed on the way  forward. Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, Okorocha  reiterated that the issue of the relocation of Ekeukwu market has been politicized by the political elites who were behind the false rumours “because they think that would enhance their political advantage in 2019 election. So, they should leave election to be and also allow governance to be. “The council also reaffirmed that nobody was killed in Ekeukwu as a result of the demolition and those who are claiming that people were killed, parading rumours that are not true should stop doing that. If anyone knows of anybody who was killed as a result of the demolition, the person should show concrete evidence of the person so killed. “For the little boy of 10 years old that was killed or murdered as the case maybe, it was not anywhere near the Douglas Road that the operation took place and till today, nobody has been able to state clearly what led to his death, but I have instructed that a full post mortem be carried out to ensure the cause of the boy’s death. We have requested that any interested party could also bring in their pathologist for this exercise. “We want to inform you that we have made adequate preparations for all the traders in Owerri city because the law in Imo State states that no market should be within five kilometers of the Government House and Ekeukwu is one of them and others that are yet to go will go. 11000 shops ready “We have made adequate arrangements of over 11000 shops that have been built for the relocation of these traders. Two in Naze, one in Egbeada, one in relief market, we have more than enough shops for these people to relocate to. “I have equally told them that they can relocate to those shops and pay nothing for the period of three months until they are able to put themselves together. I advise that the political elites of this state should desist from parading false rumours. Cultism, armed robbery “One good news is that the removal of Ekeukwu will remove cultism and armed robbery. There is no day that passes without two or three robberies taking place in Ekeukwu. We are not finished with the exercise, it is a continous one. “New Market will also be relocated, they have been given time with which to relocate. We must make Imo better. I’m  on rescue mission to get Imo better and so, Imo must be better.”  

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