Following the recent mob killing of 16 passengers travelling from Rivers to Kano in Edo State, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has appointed a new police commissioner, Monday Agbonika, to restore sanity in the state.
The PSC, in a statement on Thursday, signed by its spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, said the new CP took over from CP Betty Otimenyin to avert reprisals over the recent killings.
The PSC charged the new CP to expedite the reduction of crime in the state and thoroughly probe the recent killings.
“He was also advised to look into the issues surrounding the recent killings in the state and was reminded that what he does or not with the arrested suspects from the killings will determine his success in the state.
“You have to sit up and also work to win the confidence of the people, consult relevant stakeholders and always document every incident and action taken and make sure those who should be informed are properly informed of your actions,” the PSC said.
Recall that on March 27, a group of 25 travelers from Elele, Rivers State, en route to Kano, were intercepted by a local vigilante group. Among them, 16 were identified as hunters carrying locally made Dane guns.
The vigilante group labelled the hunters as kidnappers, and thereafter reportedly lynched 16 of them and incinerated their vehicle.
In the aftermath, the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, ordered the suspension of all unauthorised vigilante groups.
He tagged actions of the culprits as “illegal” and relieved the Commander of the State Security Corps, CP Friday Ibadin (Rtd.), of his duties.
The state government also apprehended 14 suspects in connection with the killings and called for comprehensive investigations to bring all perpetrators to justice.
If the deaths of the victims were deemed intentional, the vigilante commander and those involved could be charged with murder as contained in Section 316 of the Nigerian Criminal Code.
The suspects may also be charged with manslaughter, as stated in Section 319 of the Criminal Code.
Also, if the suspects illegally possessed firearms, the vigilante commander could face charges under the Firearms Act for unlawful possession or use of firearms.
“Without warning, they smashed my windscreen and side glass, then started beating and stoning us. The vigilante commander handcuffed me along with an elderly man named Haruna and a young boy named Ila. They continued beating the rest.
“The three of us were taken to the police station, where the vigilante commander told the officers that he had brought in kidnappers.
“We were locked up, but before he left, he instructed his men to kill the others. And they did—16 to 17 innocent men were brutally murdered,” the driver of the attacked vehicle, who spoke to Daily Trust, said.
