The deceased, whose name was given as Anyim Elijah Obinna, was alleged to have been shot dead in a hotel.
Tension has enveloped the Ugwueke community in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State following the shooting to death of a 35-year-old man from the area by a policeman attached to the Abia Police Command.
This comes as the former Minority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Chijioke Chukwu, has joined in condemning the incident and called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the officer responsible for the shooting.
The deceased, whose name was given as Anyim Elijah Obinna, was alleged to have been shot dead in a hotel at Ugwueke by a policeman identified as Ferdinand Njoku, attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Aba, Abia State.
Narrating the incident, the father of the deceased, Mr Paul Anyim, said he had travelled home on the weekend of the incident with his deceased son.
Anyim said his late son went to a hotel in the village for an event and after a while he was informed his son was shot dead by the policeman for no just cause.
“The police officer came to Ugwueke to see his girlfriend who has identified him as a member of RRS in Aba. The lady in question is alive. She is ready to testify about the incident.
“We are surprised that he has not been arrested despite our report to Igbere Police Division. We are appealing to the police to arrest the killer and let justice be done. My family has been mourning since the incident,” he lamented.
Reacting to the incident, Hon Chukwu, in an interview with newsmen, accused the police of attempting to cover up the incident, branding the unprovoked killing as a cult war in Bende.
In disputing the claim, Hon Chukwu stated that the killer policeman, who serves in Aba, came to Ugwueke to commit the crime.
“The community, backed by an investigation, confirmed the officer’s identity and has been trying to get the police to hand over the assailant for trial, but to no avail.”
The former lawmaker has appealed to influential figures in the state to intervene and ensure justice for the slain Obinna.
When contacted by newsmen, Abia State Police Command Spokesperson Maureen Chinaka said they were yet to receive a report of the incident and advised the family to formally complain to the Commissioner of Police for a thorough investigation.
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