The Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has ordered an investigation into Tuesday’s shooting that led to the death of one police officer at an All Progressive Congress rally in Okirika, Rivers State, the home town Nigeria’s first lady, Patience Jonathan.
Mr. Abba directed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 6 Calabar, Johnson Ogunshakin, to head the investigation and promptly bring to book all the perpetrators, conspirators and sponsors.
The police chief also ordered the prosecution of all suspects arrested in connection with violence across Nigeria.
“It is with great concern that despite serious warnings, advices and interfaces with political actors to avoid acts of violence in the ongoing electoral process, such acts have continued,” Mr. Suleiman said.
“It is with great concern that despite serious warnings, advices and interfaces with political actors to avoid acts of violence in the ongoing electoral process, such acts have continued,” Mr. Suleiman said.
The police chief assured that the Nigeria police will remain unbiased in providing security for all political parties to sell their manifestoes and woo the electorate.
Three other police officers and a Channels TV reporter were injured during the mayhem.
The Rivers State police command’s spokesperson, Ahmad Muhammad, in a statement on Tuesday said gunmen opened fire at the Okirika National School, venue of the APC rally.
During the shootings, he said a policeman drafted to secure the venue of the rally was killed while many other people were injured.
The state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, while condemning the attack blamed Mrs. Jonathan as being behind the incident.
Mr. Amaechi said, “Again, as usual, the wife of the president won’t allow the APC hold rally in that place (Okrika). The wife of the president and the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers again organized thugs to disrupt APC rally. As usual, the police couldn’t protect us, over 200 police men.”
