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Nigeria: Police Vow to Unveil Killers of PDP Chairman
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This Day (Lagos)
26 March 2008
Posted to the web 26 March 2008
Wole Ayodele
Lokoja And Damilola Oyedele in Abuja
Kogi State Police Command yesterday assured the people of the State of its determination to bring the killers of the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ankpa Local Government Area of the State, Mr. Alih Ayegba to justice even though no arrest has been made in connection with the murder.
The Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro has also reassured the people of the state of adequate protection of lives and property during the rescheduled governorship elections which is billed for March 29, 2008.
The Force has also announced the restriction of movement in and within the state between 6am and 4pm on that day; people would however be allowed access to polling units to exercise their rights.
Mr. Ayegba, 47, was murdered at his residence at Ankpa Sunday night by unknown gunmen who trailed him from the mosque where he went to observe prayers at about 7.30 pm in the presence of his pregnant wife, Hajara and other relations who tried in vein to dissuade the assailants from killing the PDP Chieftain.
To ensure the arrest of the culprits, the Command's Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Inalegwu disclosed to THISDAY in Lokoja yesterday that the State's Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibe Aghanya is leading the Police operation aimed at tracking the assailants and has visited Ankpa, the home of the deceased Chairman to obtain all relevant information that may lead to their arrest.
The Police Spokesman further disclosed that a crack team from the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been drafted to Ankpa with a specific mandate to ensure the arrest of the gunmen just as he expressed optimism that the incident would not go the way of other unresolved murders in the State.
When asked to comment on whether the Police is suspecting any of the political parties or politicians in the State of complicity in the murder, Mr. Inalegwu stated "Of course we'll be suspecting rival political parties but as at now, we cannot point any accusing fingers at anyone". The killing of Mr. Ayegba, coming less than a week to the court ordered fresh gubernatorial election in the state has once raised fears among the people of the State that the election may be marred by violence which was further amplified by the open display of arms by political thugs working for some of the political parties.
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Okiro said there would also be 'stop and search' operations at various locations in the state.
A press release signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Force Headquarters, ACP Agberebi Akpoebi disclosed that 3000 police officers and 5 units of Mobile personnel have been deployed from neighbouring states to assist the Kogi State Police Command in the maintenance of law and order.
Okiro also warned miscreants who intend to create trouble during the polls to desist or face the full wrath of the law. He added that parents and guardians should keep an eye on their children so that they would not be used as thugs to disrupt the elections.
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