JUST IN: How #EndSARS Protesters Snatched Police Rifle, Murdered One Officer In Delta .IGP Orders Arrest Of Perpetrators

The Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Mohammed .A Adamu, has ordered the Delta state Commissioner of Police to ensure discreet investigation into the circumstances that led to the killing of a police officer during an #EndSARS protest in Ughelli, Delta state on Thursday.

The IGP, also directed that the perpetrators of the act which he described as “cruel and unwarranted”, be brought to book.

BIGPEN had reported that there was an orgy of violence on Thursday at Otovwodo, Ughelli, headquarters of Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, when EndSARS protesters and police team clashed.

The violence broke out following the hijack of the protest march by suspected hoodlums who took advantage of the situation to cause mayhem in the state.

According to an eyewitness, several cars were reportedly destroyed during the protest as some of hoodlums under the guise of protesters whom were apparently agitated, allegedly engaged a team of policemen at Otovwodo junction were the protest march was expected to terminate in the fisticuffs.

In an ensuing melee, suspected hoodlums who hijacked the protest engaged the police in a gun fire, a development which prompted commuters along the East-West road axis of Otovwodo town to scampered for safety, following the series of gunshots that ensued.

However, the IGP, while reacting to the development on Friday, condemned the “unprovoked and violent attack” on policemen.

The top police chief disclosed that during the protest, police operational vehicles and other assets were damaged by ENDSARS protesters in Ughelli, Delta State, on Thursday, 8th October, 2020.

A statement by Force Public Relation Officer, Frank Mba, reads; “The incident which resulted in the unfortunate death of one Police officer, Corporal Etaga Stanley attached to ‘A’ Division, Ughelli, Delta State who was attacked and brutally murdered by the protesters also left another, Sergeant Patrick Okuone with serious body injury sustained from gunshot by the protesters.

“The protesters also carted away one (1) service AK47 rifle with breach no 56-2609008 and 25 rounds of live ammunition that was with the deceased at the time of the incident.

“The IGP, who described the incident as cruel and unwarranted, has warned that the Force will no longer tolerate any attack on its personnel or any member of the law enforcement community by any individual or group protesting under any guise.

“The IGP notes that protest by citizens remain a legitimate means for airing their concerns and views. It must however be carried out with all sense of responsibility and within the confines of the law.

“The IGP, while condoling the family and friends of the late Corporal Etaga Stanley who paid the supreme price in the service of our dear nation, equally commended the officers of the Delta State Police Command for exercising restraint in the face of the immoral and unjustified provocation

“Meanwhile, the IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police, Delta State to carry out a discrete investigation into the unfortunate incident, root-out the perpetrators and bring the killer protesters to book”.