BY LEKE ADESERI

THE Ovie family in Otokutu in Ughelli South local government of Delta State has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service Commission over alleged plans by the police to thwart investigation in the case of gun running.

The family also faulted the transfer of the case which involved alleged unlawful possession of fire arms and kidnapping, which was taken over by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police of the Delta Central Area Command citing irregularities.

In a petition by counsel to the Ovie family, F .O. Otobrise and Co. stated that “on the 15th of November, 2011, a formal complaint against Messrs Charles Ariko, Solomon Eyeta Obariko, Matthew Odeco Esisso and others, that on the 14th day of November, 2011, the said Charles Ariko, Solomon Eyeta Obariko, Matthew Odeco Esisso came to Idjedo quarters, Otokutu in Ughelli South local government area of Delta State at 10 pm in the night to the residence of Israel Okonedo at the said Idjedo quarters.”

In addition, it said “we were further instructed that they came thereto with strange faces in three vehicles while they were armed with guns, cutlasses and battle axes.”

It stated also that the accused persons allegedly stopped at the said residence of “Mr. Israel Okonedo at Idjedo quarters brandishing their guns, cutlasses and battle axes and commanding the said Israel Okonedo to enter one of the waiting vehicles they had brought and that if he refused they would take his life.”

Also, the petition said “when the victim would not yield to their command they bundled him into one of the said waiting cars.

Our said client informed us that as he was shouting for help, the inhabitants and the youths of the quarter came out enmasse and the suspects hereto having known that their mission was about to be thwarted pushed out Mr. Israel Okonedo and drove away to an unknown destination.”

Aside, “at about 11:00pm on that same day Charles Ariko, Solomon Eyeta Oberiko and Matthew Odeco Esisso came back in another vehicle driven by Matthew Odeco Esisso with Charles Ariko and Solomon Eyeta Oberiko inside. On getting to Idjedo quarter in Ovie family compound, Charles Ariko came out armed with a gun (Pump Acting gun) and opened fire shooting in all directions of Idjedo quarter, Otokutu while Solomon Eyeta Oberiko was following him behind and armed with a battle Axe.”

The petition further stated that that the Police had arrested and detained Innocent Daniel Okoro Ekpan, Panama Ode, Joshua Esajumi and Emmanuel Esajumi but are still searching for other accused persons.”

Besides, the petition explained that “in the process of running to enter the car they brought to escape, a gun fell from Eyeta Oberiko’s hand and they ran away abandoning the said gun. The youths we were informed took the gun to the President General of Otokutu Community who invited men of the Nigeria Police from the Delta Central Police Command, Ughelli and handed over the gun to them.”