Posted by by VINCENT ADEKOYE, Benin and KOLA ADEPOJU, Abeokuta on
TROUBLE may be brewing between the Delta and Edo State police commands over the killing of the former's Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Amen Obasuyi in Benin, the Edo capital, on December 31, last year.
TROUBLE may be brewing between the Delta and Edo State police commands over the killing of the former's Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Amen Obasuyi in Benin, the Edo capital, on December 31, last year.
Obasuyi was killed by unidentified gnmen at his Evbienwen residence and some policemen in Edo are worried that due to alleged non-commencement of investigation into the killing by the state police command, a team of crack detectives from Delta State was scheduled to arrive Benin to commence full-scale probe into the incident.
But Delta State Police Command yesterday denied this, saying it had not despatched such team.
Police sources told Daily Champion that the Delta State command was unhappy that almost 72 hours after Obasuyi's murder, the Edo command was yet to formally begin investigation into the assassination let alone supply a preliminary report on the matter.
Worse still, the Ekhoro police station, which has jurisdiction over the area where Obasuyi was gunned down, was yet to inform the relevant police authorities of the development.
"This shoddy treatment is unbecoming. Obasuyi was a SUPOL (superior police officer) and we expected quicker action, but as it is, nothing appears to be done," a top police source in Asaba complained.
Reports said while the Delta command was initially ready to take up the investigation so that the killers could be brought to book, this plan was hindered by the non-availability of some vital information that could facilitate the investigation.
Sources at Asaba told Daily Champion yesterday that some top shots in the command may be forced to make a formal complaint to the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Mr. Tafa Balogun, within the next 24 hours if the situation remained the same.
Spokesman of the Edo State police command, Mr. Fatai Kinyomi, said he is even yet to receive the formal signal on the killing.
He also confirmed that the Ekhoro police division that ought to handle the matter has not reported to him on the matter.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) Deputy Commissioner Chris Olakpe said in Abuja that he was not aware of any crisis of confidence between both state commands over the killing of Mr. Obasuyi.
However, he said the deceased's next of kin is to benefit from the Police Accident Insurance Scheme instituted by the IGP.
The scheme, Olakpe said, is "a first line of succour" for next of kin of policemen and officers who fall in the line of duty.
By virtue of the late Obasuyi's rank as an Assistant Superintendent (ASP), the police spokesman said, the family is entitled to a hefty sum.
Meanwhile, Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Charles Akaya debunked the allegation that the command gave ultimatum to its Edo State unit to fish out the killers of the late Obasuyi within 24 hours.
Akaya in an interview with Daily Champion in Asaba yesterday said it was only the police high command, Abuja that has absolute powers to give such order especially when such sensitive matter (killing) occurred in another state.
He assured that the intending pilgrims would take off yesterday evening, adding that the government is in constant touch with the aviation authorities.