The family of slain Vice Chairman of Oteri community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, Blessing Unuesefe, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Abba Suleiman over his killing by security agents.
The family, whose petition was sent to the IG through the Centre for the Vulnerable and the Underprivileged, CENTREP, urged the police boss to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.
In the petition by Executive Director Oghenejabor Ikimi, CENTREP stated that the deceased was allegedly killed extra-judicially on the order of a member of the vigilante group in the area (name withheld).
According to the petition, the deceased was ordered shot for allegedly refusing to obey an order to sit on the floor.
Demanding the whereabouts of the remains of the late Unuesefe and need for an investigation into the matter, CENTREP stated: “Following the refusal of the victim to be humiliated, the vigilante member fired a shot at the deceased and in an attempt to run for his dear life, the deceased was shot again.
“They, thereafter, took the deceased, who was bleeding into their Toyota Hilux van and drove away, but later returned with some men of the Police Station, Ughelli, to search the house of the victim, after which the victim was taken to the Central Hospital, Ughelli, where he was confirmed dead by one of the doctors on duty.
“The whereabouts of the said corpse is unknown to family members till date.”
Ikimi, who is also counsel to the Unuesefe family, while calling on the IGP to investigate the matter, stated that despite the complaint to Ughelli ‘A’ Division, no investigation had been conducted into the matter.
Contacted, state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu, who confirmed the incident, said: “Give me time to get the facts and send to you, but the deceased was a cultist, who was involved in a shootout.”