By Kelechi Esogwa-Amadi
Angry reactions are still trailing the brutal murder of former Ahoada Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Bako Angbashim, last week by suspected criminals.
The latest reaction is coming from a group of youths from Ekpeye Ethnic Nationality who on Saturday staged a peaceful protest to condemn the ugly incident.
The protesters, who took off from Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt, under the aegis of Concerned Ekpeye Youths, called on the Rivers State Police to carry out a thorough investigation into the killing of Angbashim so that the killers can be arrested and brought to book.
They also demanded the redeployment of police officers who have served for a long time in the Ahoada Division.
The youths, who made it clear that they totally condemn the killing of Angbashim by suspected criminals, however, commended the police for their effort so far towards apprehending those behind the incident.
They specifically hailed the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Emeka Nwonyi, and the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for their prompt response aimed at bringing all the culprits to book.
The convener of the protest, Moses Ugu, told journalists that the Ekpeyes are naturally peaceful people who neither support nor engage in violence.
He said: “I want to tell the world that we the peaceful, loving people of Ekpeye, we’re not a violent people; we exonerate ourselves.
“Ekpeye has been peaceful; Ekpeye has been a hospitable place but what is happening now is a surprise to us and we urge the security agencies to do their work. Anybody found guilty should be brought to book.”
Also speaking, one of the protesters, Randy Charles said:
“We seek that the killers of SP Bako are speedily brought to book. The police should investigate and destroy all big forest camps existing in Ahoada East and West LGAs.
“The government should publicly dethrone and punish every leader within any sphere of Ekpeye involved in any crime or connected in the killing of SP Bako. There should be redeployment of overstayed police officers in Ahoada Area Command within all ranks and files.
“We vehemently call on the security agencies to speedily apprehend, prosecute, and punish publicly everyone connected to the wanton killing of hustling youths and very importantly SP Bako.”
Meanwhile, TPCN gathered that the Rivers State Police Command is working hard to arrest the killers of the former Ahoada DPO, SP Bako Angbashim.
