The Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the shooting incident at the campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Okrika, Rivers State on Tuesday.
The shooting resulted in the death of one policeman while three other policemen and a journalist were severely injured.
Abba directed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge Zone 6 Calabar, AIG Johnson Tunde Ogunshakin, to take over the investigation and promptly bring to book all the perpetrators, conspirators and sponsors.
He further directed a judicious prosecution of suspects arrested in connection with violence across the country.
Abba also noted with concern that despite serious warnings, advice and interfaces with political actors to avoid acts of violence in the ongoing electoral process, such acts have persisted.
The IGP further restated the resolve and commitment of the Nigeria Police Force, in line with its constitutional and statutory mandate, to continue to provide level playing ground for all political parties to sell their manifestos and woo the electorate.
The IGP expressed regrets at the loss of a Policeman’s life in the course of providing safety in the electoral process.
He said his heart goes out to the families of the slain colleagues as he wished the injured officers speedy recovery and return to national duty.
Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and chieftain of the APC had, hours after the incident occured, accused Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, and the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as responsible for the explosions that occurred at the venue of the campaign rally as well as the invasion of the rally by gunmen.
Okrika, where a previous explosion had resulted in APC’s postponing an initial campaign, is Dame Jonathan’s hometown.
