THE killing of Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chinwike Asadu, in Enugu sent shock waves across the country on Sunday.
The
Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, directed the police homicide
squad to fish out the gunmen who waylaid and killed Asadu on
Saturday night while on a visit to his home in Enugu.
“The
killers have murdered sleep and they will not know sleep,” Deputy Force Public
Relations Officer, Frank Mba, who spoke for Abubakar said.
The
PUNCH learnt that he was killed at
about 9.45pm on Saturday in Abakpa Nike, Enugu East Local Government Area,
by the gunmen who trailed him to his street.
Asadu’s
police orderly, Aloha Olaniyi and driver, Oliver Omeh, were
critically injured by the bandits. The duo are said to be receiving treatment
at the National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu.
Olaniyi
was shot in the chest, stomach, hands and leg. His service rifle was also said
to have been taken away by the gunmen.
Enugu
State Police Command spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu, had before the IG’s
directive said, “The people responsible for the act shot at him (Asadu) several
times when he was entering his residence at Abakpa Nike.”
Asadu
had in company with Olaniyi and Omeh reportedly escorted a visitor
, leaving behind his official escort team that came with him from the
Kwara State Police Command when the gunmen struck.
They
(Asadu, omeh and Olaniyi) were said to have noticed a bus
trailing their vehicle as they drove into the street.
The
gunmen, who were in the bus were said to have shot sporadically at
the rear of the CP’ s car.
The
new CP in Enugu State, Tonye Ebitibituwa, was reported to have ordered his men
to conduct serious manhunt for the gunmen within and outside the state
capital without delay.
Abubakar
tasked the detectives to assist the Enugu State Police Command in
tracking down the killers.
Mba
told one of our correspondents via the telephone on Sunday that
Abubakar was saddened by the death of Asadu, adding that the police would
do everything possible to apprehend his killers.
Asked
if any arrests had been made, Mba declined to make a categorical
statement.
But
he said, “The killers of Asadu have murdered sleep and they will find no
peace; they will find no rest and no comfort. The IG has directed the
homicide division to assist the Enugu State CP to track down the murderers.”
Mba
explained that the police had commenced investigation into the incident which
he described as unfortunate and the height of criminality. He expressed
confidence that the suspects would be arrested and brought to book
soon.
Kwara
State Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed said Asadu exhibited a high sense of
discipline in the discharge of his duties and contributed to the peace of the
state as the CP.
Meanwhile,
opposition parties have described Asadu’s killing as a sad symptom of a country
that has lost grip on its security.
In
separate telephone interviews with our correspondents in Abuja on Sunday,
the parties- Action Congress of Nigeria, All Nigeria Peoples Party and
Congress for Progressive Change- expressed disappointment at the insecurity in
the country.
The
ACN, through its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the
killing of the CP had further shown that Nigerians were not safe.
It
however advised Nigerians to be prayerful.
“The
CP was a fine gentleman. It is sad that he could be killed like that. If a
commissioner of police could be gunned down like a rat and life snuffed out of
him like a commoner, it portends a dangerous trend for the security of the
country. Nigerians need to be prayerful,” the party said.
National
Publicity Secretary of the ANPP, Chief Emma Eneukwu, said the killing of
Asadu had further shown that no one was safe in the country.
The
ANPP said, “The killing is terrible . That the CP was killed is unbelievable.
It shows that no one is safe in the country anymore. May God be with us all.
“Our
security is in the hand of God. If a CP with the number of armed security men
around him could be killed like that, then we are in trouble.”
The
CPC, through its Spokesman , Rotimi Fashakin, said, “We know that our
government does not respect Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution
which talks about the fundamental objective and principle of government.
“In
Section 14 sub-section 3 (a) which has about three parts, it talks about the
fact that the purpose of government is the welfare and security of the people.
“You
will see that in the last three years, security has been taking a big chunk of
our budgetary provision yet insecurity has been our lot.”
The
Presidency, however, said it was trying its best to ensure security in the
country.
Political
Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak, told one of our
correspondents that what the administration required was the support of
the populace.
Gulak,
in a response to the criticisms by opposition parties, said, “The Federal
Government under President Goodluck Jonathan is doing its best to tackle the
insecurity being witnessed in the country.
“Insecurity
is not limited to Nigeria. It is a global phenomenon. All nations are passing
through it and Nigeria is having its share. President Jonathan will do
everything possible to end the problem within extant laws and with intelligence
gathering.
“Nigerians
should join hands with government and support Mr. President to quickly put an
end to the problem.”
PUNCH
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