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Ken
Atsuwete, deceased Image source: Daily Post
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More personalities and
groups have called on security agencies to ensure they arrest and prosecute
those who killed human rights activist, Ken
Atsuwete.
Daily
Post report continues:
The
latest is coming from the International Society for Human Rights and
Humanitarian Law, the Ojukaye Flag Amachree family, the PDP, APC and the
Nigerian bar Association NBA.
Chancellor
of the International Society for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Omenazu
Jackson said the killing of Ken Atsuwete has reminded Nigerians of many such
killings in the past that have remained unresolved.
For
her part, the Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Gloria
Ohia, said there is need to allow the police to carry out thorough
investigation on the killing of Atsuwete.
The
Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Rivers State in its reaction frowned at the
spate of re-occurrence of high level of criminality being experienced in parts
of the Sate.
State
NLC Chairperson, Beatrice Itubo, in a statement called on security agencies in
the State to step up measures to curb the various criminalities and also bring
perpetrators to book.
In
the meantime, President of the Niger Delta Coalition against Violence,
Christian Lekia says the murder of Rights Lawyer has opened a dark page for
activism in the State.
In
the same vein, the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State claimed Atsuwete
was murdered because of his involvement in the case of former Chairman of Asari
Toru Local Government area Ojukaye Flag-Amachree and his support for the APC.
Deputy
State Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, Prince Peter Odike said the killing
of The Late Lawyer was well planned and executed by those who see him as a
threat.
Meanwhile,
the Chairman of PDP in Rivers State, Felix Obuah, described Atsuwete as an
energetic human rights lawyer who contributed significantly to the respect of
human rights, rule of law, social and criminal justice.
Obuah
in a statement by his Special Adviser on media called on the police and other
security agencies not to leave any stone unturned in unraveling the
perpetrators of the dastardly act.
THE
MURDER OF BARR. KEN ATSUWETE, THE NEED TO READDRESS AND DEEMPHASISE ISSUANCE OF
POLICE REPORT (POLICE TREATMENT PERMIT) TO GUN RELATED VICTIMS AND OUR FAILED
HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
The
Leadership of Ijaw Youth Council received the barbaric murder of Barr. Ken
Atsuwete with great shock. We are still wondering what could have led to this
insane act to warrant his life. Most surprising was the fact that he did not
die immediately going by public account. He was rather abandoned by onlookers
due to fear of been implicated or arrested by the police, which is ordinarily
the norm in this country. He may also have been saved if only our primary,
secondary and tertiary medically institutions were functional and at an
approximate distance, as so to speak.
On
the other hand is the incessant strike by our medical Doctors that is now a
reoccurring decimal in this Country and the lack of attention on our healthcare
sector by the government. A worrisome situation that leaves the citizens with
no option but to patronize private medical centres that are quite unaffordable
and completely outrageous on the poor masses.
While
we ponder over this irreplaceable loss, we equally frown at the fact that the
Nigerian police could not take possession of the victim and the responsibility
in seeing to his survival when he was first brought to them. Rather, they only
issued Police report (Treatment permit) to the good Samaritans to take him to
the hospital.
In other climes, Police also embark on humanitarian services and should always save life first before investigation. The police at any instance represents the government, and as such could secured his treatment in that capacity, be it in government or private owned hospitals if they had rendered a helping hand at the circumstance.
In other climes, Police also embark on humanitarian services and should always save life first before investigation. The police at any instance represents the government, and as such could secured his treatment in that capacity, be it in government or private owned hospitals if they had rendered a helping hand at the circumstance.
It
is in our opinion that the issuance of Police report (Treatment permit) should
be readdressed and deemphasize by the Inspector General of police, not by mere
lip services in public. There must be a deliberate collaboration with the
Nigeria Medical Association, National Orientation Agency, other human right organization
and faith based group to properly inform the public to freely assist any
citizen in distress.
Finally,
we call on the Inspector General of police to change the orientation of the
Nigerian Police to offer medical help to any victim first, not to see the
issuance of Police report (Treatment permit) as the first priority. He must
also ensure the perpetrators of this evil act are arrested and prosecuted in
line with the law, to serve as deterrent to other misguided and vulnerable
youths.
The
insecurity in Rivers state and other parts of Niger delta should be given a
special attention, as intelligence gathering is a critical strategy in crime
prevention, if result must be achieved.
Signed;
Comrade Bristol-Alagbariya Emmanuel T.J,
National Secretary General
of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide.Comrade Bristol-Alagbariya Emmanuel T.J,
Source: RIVERS-MarvinChinda/Facebook
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