About 24 hours after setting up a 10-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry into Police brutality and extra-judicial killings in Abia State, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, has given an insight into how the panel will unearth police killings and torture in the state.

Ikpeazu had Tuesday evening, shortly after imposing a 24-hour curfew on Aba and Umuahia as the youth protests in the state turned violent, named a 10-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate allegations of extra-judicial killings and brutality by security agents in the state.

The Abia Judicial Panel of Inquiry, headed by a retired Chief Judge of the State, Justice Sunday Imo, also has the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Uzoamaka Ikonne, as Secretary.

Other members include the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade John Emejor, Nwakanma John, Daniel Chinagozi, Ariwa Zuby and Eric Ikwuagwu.

The rest are Founder of Umuahia-based Vision Africa Radio, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, a civil rights activist, Comrade Nanna Nwafor, and Mrs Doris Ogala.

A statement by the Abia State Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, added that the members of the Panel would be inaugurated this Friday, October 23, 2020, at Government House, Umuahia, by 1 p.m.

However, in a state-wide radio and television broadcast Wednesday evening, Ikpeazu assured all who would come forward with pieces of evidence of utmost confidentiality.

“Let me assure our people that we are prepared to accept, and in appropriate cases, grant audience physically to all those who wish to bring forward documented cases of Police brutality in Abia State.

“Once we get indications from such persons, we shall open our doors and listen directly, provided such persons undertake to behave decently and responsibly. We commit to presenting these documented cases at the highest level in the country,” Ikoeazu said during the broadcast.

The Governor had imposed a 24-hour curfew on Aba and Umuahia Tuesday evening to arrest the deteriorating security situation in the state.

Apprehension heightened Tuesday evening in Umuahia as Policemen battled protesters said to be returning from Abia State House of Assembly where they had gone to protest, through Bender Road, Umuahia, to ward off a possible invasion of Central Police Station at about 4:30 p.m.

Tension mounted and the Police resorted to firing warning shots, as well as releasing canisters of teargas into the air which left people scampering for safety.

With the unsavoury security reports of arson from Aba and the growing tension and fear of imminent clash between the Police and the protesters, Ikpeazu moved swiftly to impose the 24-hour curfew which came into force by 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Traders caught unawares by the measure were seen hurriedly closing their shops and heading home to beat the curfew.

As statement by the Commissioner for Information said the curfew would remain in place till further notice. The statement read:

“Last night a contingent of police officers on official duty around Azikiwe Road by Asa in Aba, was attacked by yet-to-be identified hoodlums, numbering over 30, who sadly killed one of the officers and also carted away their arms and ammunition even though one of the suspected attackers was apprehended with gunshot injuries.

“After detailed review and assessment of the general security situation, including reports of armed cultists and hoodlums sneaking into the state from different parts of the country in large numbers, the burning down of at least two police stations, reported killing of two policemen in the last two days as well as leaked plans to unleash more violence on innocent citizens, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has directed security agents to ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of the hoodlums, pursue a swift and complete recovery of the stolen arms and ammunition with the necessary vigour, and ensure the cultists are comprehensively flushed out.

“To ensure the continued security of lives and property of law-abiding citizens, the Governor has also directed the imposition of a 24-hour curfew on Aba and Umuahia from 6pm today till further notice.

“Furthermore, Governor Ikpeazu has approved a cash reward of Five Million Naira Only (N5, 000,000.00) to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of the hoodlums and armed cultists.

“This is in addition to the approval of a reward of One Million Naira Only (N1,000,000.00) for each authentic video evidence on brutality and extrajudicial killings by security agents in the state submitted to the Judicial Panel of Inquiry being inaugurated to investigate the incidents.

“Parents and guardians are strongly advised to monitor the activities of their children and wards to ensure that they are not engaged in nefarious activities, predispose themselves to harm or allow themselves to be used to cause mayhem in the State.”

•Governor Ikpeazu

#ENDSARS: Ikpeazu reveals how Abia judicial panel will work