Reps saddened by high rate of police stray bullets death

…Wants probe killing of graduate, Obhafuoso in Edo

…Asks FG to complete abandoned Ukanafun road in Akwa Ibom

By Christiana Ekpa

The Nigerian House of Representatives, Thursday expressed sadness over the high rate of deaths of innocent and unsuspecting citizens, occurring from stray bullets of Police personnel in different parts of the country.

The House particularly, urged the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali-Baba to investigate the killing of Godsent Obhafuoso, a graduate of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma in Edo State Edo by a Police stray bullet on August 13, 2022 at a social event in Uromi.

It’s mandated the committee on Police Affairs to ensure compliance with the resolution and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

The House resolutions was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by Sergius Ogun (PDP, Edo) at plenary on Thursday.

Presenting the motion, Ogun noted that Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) provides that the security and welfare of the people of Nigeria shall be the primary purpose of government.

He also said the National Assembly is empowered to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the federation or any part thereof as enshrined in Section 4(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

The lawmaker disclosed that: “on August 13, 2022, Godsent Obhafuoso was killed by a Police stray bullet, one month after he graduated from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State at a social gathering at Uromi, Edo State.

He further informed that attempts to bring the erring Police officer to justice failed due to complacency on the part of the Police personnel at the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 5, Edo State.

Adopting the motion, the House observe one minute silence in honour of the deceased Ambrose Alli University graduate.

Also at plenary, the House asked the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to urgently complete the Ikot Akpa Nkuk/Nvak Iba/Usung Atiat/lkot Akpa Idem/lkot Udo Mbang Road in Ukanafun Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

The resolution followed the passage of a motion sponsored by Unyime Idem (PDP, Akwa Ibom) who argued that the road plays a paramount role in the economic development of the Ukanafun communities, its environs and the neighbouring states.

According to Uyime, the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing under its emergency intervention programme commenced the rehabilitation of about 2.8 Km Ikot Akpa Nkuk/Nyak Iba/Usung Atiat/lkot Akpa Idem/lkot Udo Mbang road but abandoned halfway in 2022.

He expressed concern that the abandoned road has caused a lot of hardship to inhabitants of the villages and adjourning communities as it either become a death trap to the motorists or impassable for the farmers to transport their produce to town.

“Worried that as a result of the road being abandoned, farmers in the adjourning communities have suffered wastages by reason of the inability to take their harvested goods to the market within time;

“Also worried that the dilapidated condition of the road has not only aggravated the present sufferings of the people but the economic activities have also been put on hold as the movement of commuters, goods and services has led to the loss of earnings and resources.

“Concerned that apart from the inaccessibility and neglect of the road, the people have been left to seek alternative means of evacuating farm produce from the hinterland to cities resulting in high cost of farm produce in the market,” Uyemi submitted.

The House mandated the Committees on Works, and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance when it adopted the motion.