RULAAC petitions Ebonyi CP over the killing of Police Inspector

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By Madu Obi

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), a human rights group, has petitioned the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police over the killing of Late Inspector Shedrack Amechi, while carrying out his lawful duty at Amaeze, Ishiagu, Ivo local government area of the state.

Executive Director of RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, in the petition, called for prompt, impartial and effective investigation into the incident.

According to Nwanguma, information available to the family indicates that Inspector Amechi, attached to the Divisional Headquarters, Abakaliki, was part of a police team on an official assignment to arrest a suspect.

The team, he said, was confronted by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who were acting as escorts to the suspect the police went to arrest.

He said: "We understand that following alleged instructions from a superior NSCDC officer that the police should not be allowed to arrest the suspect, a confrontation ensued.

In the process, one of the NSCDC operatives discharged a rifle, fatally shooting Inspector Amechi.

This incident represents not only a devastating personal loss to the Amechi family, who have been denied their breadwinner, but also a serious institutional concern.

The avoidable inter-agency hostility and misuse of firearms undermine public confidence in law enforcement agencies and endanger national security.

On behalf of the family, we therefore respectfully request that your office ensures a prompt, impartial, and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Inspector Amechi’s death, including the actions of the NSCDC operatives and their superiors."

Nwanguma urged the Police to also ensure accountability, by bringing to book, all those responsible, whether directly or through command responsibility to deter future inter-agency conflicts and impunity.

"RULAAC also urges the Police to guarantee adequate redress and compensation for the Amechi family, recognizing that the deceased was their breadwinner and his death has left his dependents in a vulnerable state.

It should go further to provide institutional assurance to serving police officers that if they lose their lives in the line of duty, their families will not be abandoned by the institution they served. This is critical to sustaining morale and commitment within the Force.

We note that the Command has scheduled a meeting with the NSCDC and the family, and that an autopsy has been proposed. While these are steps in the right direction, we urge that they be followed with concrete actions to establish the truth, ensure accountability, and provide justice.

RULAAC, acting in its mandate of promoting accountability and the rule of law in Nigeria, will

continue to follow up on this matter and expects regular updates on the progress of the investigation.

We trust in your leadership to ensure that justice is done and seen to be done in this case", Nwanguma said.