The people of Mgbuoshimiri Community in Obia/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers have called for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the alleged killing of an 83-year-old man, Mr. Maxwell Acho Chukwu.
Chukwu described as the oldest man in the community had slumped and died when a group of policemen stormed the venue of a community meeting on Saturday and began to shoot sporadically.
Based on what was gathered, three members of the community had brought in the policemen to stop the meeting.
President-General of Mgbuoshimiri Community Council, Mr. Ohazurume Chukwu, said the policemen began to shoot into the air even when they (police) were told that the community members at the meeting were not cult members.
“This morning, we were in a meeting, some people came with some policemen to invade the venue of our meeting.
“When we tried to find out what the reasons are, the policemen told us that they were told them that it was cult members that were meeting.
“We told them that it was a community meeting; and they insisted because they have been induced. Thus, they insisted that they had to arrest some persons and we resisted.
“In the cause of doing that, the policemen started shooting. They started shooting to the point that the oldest man in the community, Mr. Acho Maxwell Chukwu, fell down and died as a result of their shooting,” Chukwu stated.
Chukwu called for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the shooting.
It was further gathered. that a violent protest embarked upon by some youths of the area, who were angered by the incident, was brought under control by the police.
Speaking on the matter, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, said the matter was already under police investigation.
“This is a mere allegation. I can’t say much for now because the matter is under investigation,” Mohammad stated.