The Bayelsa Police Commissioner, Mr Hilary Opara has confirmed that three police officers (names withheld) are facing orderly room trial over the alleged killing of a youth in the state.
Opara, who gave the confirmation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Yenagoa, dismissed rumours making the round that the state police command was not taking any action about the alleged shooting to death of one Emmanuel Victor on Oct. 16, 2011.
The commissioner said that on assumption of duty in the state, he took appropriate action by arresting the policemen involved and ordered investigation.
“Today, investigation has not exonerated the policemen. Because of these, they are right now on trial, after which they would be made to face the wrath of the law.”
Opara said the police, as a responsible organisation, do not condone indiscipline let alone issues bordering on extra-judicial killing.
He said the outcome of the prosecution of the offenders would be made public to show that the Command has nothing to hide, particularly in cases concerning abuse of human rights.
When visited the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), the three officers were seen in handcuffs at the orderly room trial, chaired by the DPO of ‘A’ Division, Mr Boye Okubo (CSP), who was interrogating them.
It would be recalled that Emmanuel Victor was shot dead at a checkpoint on the Sani Abacha Express way on Sunday shortly after a church service.
Opara, who assumed duties in the state less than one week, has dismissed about five policemen.
The commissioner said that he met the files of the dismissed officers on his table with recommendation for dismissal and scrutinised them before taken the action.