Suspected commercial motorcyclists have reportedly lynched a 45-year-old police inspector, Festus Onori, and murdered him in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Council of Delta State.
According to reports, the police officer assigned to the Marine Police Station at Cable Point in Asaba tragically lost his life in the presence of his wife and three children during the incident.
The late officer’s older brother, Austin Onori, recounted that Inspector Onori and his family were en route to church when a commercial motorcyclist, reportedly of northern origin, collided with the back of his vehicle in Okpanam, near the state capital of Asaba. He further explained that, in an attempt to ascertain what had occurred, his deceased brother was in the process of parking properly when he was unexpectedly swarmed by over 20 commercial motorcyclists wielding sticks and other dangerous weapons.
According to the elder brother the deceased officer swiftly made a U-turn and retreated to his car.
“And as he drove off fearing for his life, the Okada riders pursued him. When he got to Marble Hill Okpanam, he diverted through that road to the express thinking that his chasers would be discouraged and retreat.”
“Behold, they pursued him down to Ogwashi-Uku Community near Kwale, when the fuel in his vehicle got exhausted on the Ogwashi Uku Community Kwale expressway.”
“At that time, his pursuers numbered over 50. Then, they mobbed him to death in the presence of his wife and three children.”
“They also destroyed his vehicle. It was a passerby, according to the wife, who took him to Ogwashi-Uku police station before he was confirmed dead. As I speak, his remains have been deposited in the morgue, ” he said.
Upon contact, the spokesperson for the command, Bright Edafe, stated that he had not received an official report regarding the incident.
Meanwhile, the police in Delta State held a parade yesterday, showcasing three individuals suspected of involvement in the kidnapping. This group includes Ese-Oghene Ezekiel, who orchestrated the murder of his brother’s wife, Regina Ogana, and the subsequent abduction of his brother and other members of their household in Oha community, Okpe Local Council of the state.
During the presentation of the suspects at the Police headquarters in Asaba, the command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, identified the individuals as James Aboyo, aged 21, Solomon Gbolode, and Blessing Deco, aged 22.
Edafe explained that the Police Anti-Crime Patrol team apprehended them in the Ofuoma community, located in Ughelli North Local Council, due to their alleged involvement in the incident.
He said: “Kidnapping being a crime of concern in the state has been dealt a huge blow through our swift policing interventions.
“They were arrested on October 13, at about 2:23 a.m., after an exhaustive and painstaking investigation process, aided by technically generated intelligence by men of the Anti-Crime Patrol team, Divisional Police Station, Oreorokpe.
“Consequent upon their arrest, the team proceeded to search the premises and hideout; upon reaching their hideout, one Blessing Deco, ‘m’, 22, was arrested, while other gang members who sighted the approaching police team, took to their heels.”
“The suspects, who had confessed to their involvement in the crimes and other kidnapping incidents in the state, are presently in custody, assisting police investigation while a manhunt for the other fleeing members of the gang is ongoing.”