As written by Comrade Henry Peter Ekine Esq, National Legal Adviser Of Committee For Defence Of Human Rights(CDHR) on his Facebook page
Policemen with Akinima Division in Ahoada-West Local Government Area of Rivers State, stormed Odiopiti/Odiobo Communities in Ahoada-West Local Government Area on Christmas morning, Monday 25th December, 2023 at about 8.00am in a white hilix van known to be attached to and used by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO).
The Policemen extrajudicially shot and killed one Mr. Livingstone Egbuluka, a young man of about 32 years old and a father of two little children.
According to eyewitness reports, the Policemen, including one Officer Destiny, first shot at the victim on his ankle along the road between Odiopiti and Odiobo Communities.
After the victim fell on the ground and while bleeding helplessly, the Policemen pounced on him and perfected their act with stabs on his ribs region and a final shot on his thigh or lap causing him to bleed more profusely; his pool of blood flooded the ground at the scene.
The killer Policemen then took the victim in their van without concern for his survival and drove off.
The whereabouts of this Christmas day victim of Police brutality has since remained undisclosed by the Police.
Relatives of the victim have gone to the Police Station at Akinima thrice to demand for their son and brother.
The Police have refused to let the relatives to see him or his body or remains.
We are demanding the immediate intervention of the Police Service Commission, the Inspector General of Police, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (Zone 16) and the Commissioner of Police to swiftly investigate the DPO, his Officers and Personnel dispassionately and prosecute the perpetrators of this extrajudicial killing of a citizen.
Every suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty only by a competent court after diligent prosecution or trial.
No Policeman is permitted to extrajudicially kill any citizen.
The Police must produce Mr. Livingstone Ogbuluka alive. Worse still, the Police must produce his body or remains to his relatives.
We are determined to pursue and obtain justice on this matter. We will surely mobilize all efforts to ensure that justice is done and the perpetrators are punished.