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.”
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