Former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, has condemned Wednesday’s killing of a mother and child at the popular PTI junction in Uvwie local government area of Delta State.
Both mother and child, according to eye witness reports in video clips circulating on various social media platforms, were alleged to have been killed by a speeding Police Hilux vehicle said to be on a hot chase after internet fraudsters.
But the Police has denied involvement, just as Delta Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has ordered an investigation. An angry mob set a police van of fire as the alleged killer policemen fled the scene.
In a statement Delta Police spokesman, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, said, “The accident involved a Mercedes Tipper with Reg. No. WWR 425 ZR loaded with granite, a Toyota Camry car with Reg. No. AKD 403 FM and a Tricycle Reg. No. yet unknown, all moving in the same direction and Police vehicle was never involved.
“Two passengers conveyed by the Tricycle, a woman and a baby girl, died on the spot and other passengers were injured.
“The Police Command deeply sympathizes with the families of the deceased and the injured persons and equally frowned at the unjust treatment meted to Police officers who went to rescue the victims by members of the public.
“They went as far as burning the Police patrol vehicle that came for the rescue operation. The Perpetrators of this dastardly act will be brought to book.
“The Command also wishes to inform the general public that neither Operation Delta Hawk nor Ebrumede patrol vehicle was involved as speculated earlier.”
Gbagi, while reacting to the incident, in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, sympathized with the families of the deceased and appealed to residents of Uvwie to remain calm and eschew taking laws into their hands.
He also called on the relevant security agencies in the state to adopt proactive measures towards unraveling the details behind the mystery deaths.
According to Gbagi, doing so besides putting the incident to rest, would go a long way in preventing a break down of law and order within Uvwie and its environs as witnessed immediately after the killing of the victims.
The statement reads: “I condemn in the strongest terms, the gruesome murder of a yet to be identified mother and child around the PTI junction in Uvwie local government area of Delta State.
“The incident which occurred on Wednesday has sparked widespread criticisms and condemnations from Nigerians following the incident.
“I, therefore, wish to appeal to residents of Uvwie local government area to maintain calm and not take the laws into their hands, but rather allow the relevant authorities get to the root of the tragic incident.
“While there are allegations circulating on social platforms suggesting that some policemen were responsible for the murder, I urge relevant security agencies in the state to immediately swing into action by adopting proactive measures towards unraveling the actual cause of the deaths.
“To the family of the deceased mother and child, my deepest sympathies are extended to you. May God grant you strength and consolation at this moment to bear the irreparable loss of your loved ones,” the former Minister said.