Abakaliki — Ebonyi State government has set up a six-man judicial panel of inquiry to unravel the circumstances that led to the killing of an enumerator, and third year medical student of Ebonyi State University, Mr. ThankGod Onwe by a police inspector in Ohaukwu on the eve of the commencement of the census exercise.

Inaugurating the panel the state deputy governor, Dr. Chigozie Ogbu, charged the members to determine the remote and immediate causes of the shooting, identify those involved in the shooting, ascertain the extent of damage and advise government properly.

He described the incident as painful and sad and expressed regrets that despite sustained preaching by the government for people to cherish and tolerate one another, people still engage in quarrels that could lead to loss of lives and property.

The deputy governor said that government cannot condone the callous and senseless destruction of lives and property and urged the justice O'Connor Ogbonna-led panel to be thorough in the investigations and to submit their reports in four weeks time.

Mr. Onwe was shot and killed when he joined his colleagues to obtain clearance for payment at the end of the training exercise organised by the National Population Commission for its ad hoc staff.

The killing of Mr. Thank-God Onwe, a third year student of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki sparked off a heavy protest by the Youths in Ohaukwu, home of Governor Sam Egwu, leading to destruction of houses and property worth millions of naira.

Among property destroyed by the rampaging youths was the Ohaukwu Divisional Police Station, property belonging to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at his rented apartment which was burnt by the mob; A 19 room apartment rented by the police in Ohaukwu burnt with property in it.

The Ebonyi Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Godwin Wekwa (ASP) who confirmed the incident gave the name of the Inspector as Yola Datt, disclosing that he has been arrested and handed over to the Criminal Investigative Division (CID) at the Abakaliki Police Headquarters. "If he is found guilty, he will be prosecuted."

He disclosed that census workers in Ohaukwu LGA had gathered to obtain clearance for the payment of their training exercise as well as collect ID cards for the exercise.