News Editor
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
The Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA), Makurdi branch, on Thursday staged a peaceful walk to the Police Command in Makurdi demanding justice over the recent murder of their colleague in Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
Recall that the NBA Secretary in Otukpo, Barr. Mike Ofikwu, was murdered by gunmen yet to be identified in his Otukpo residence on November 20, 2024 when he was returning from work.
The lawyers, led by the NBA Chairman Makurdi branch, Barr Terna Yaji, marched peacefully to the police headquarters and were received by the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene.
Yaji who urged the police to ensure that justice is served in the assassination of Barr Ofikwu lamented the incessant assassination of their colleagues,
He appealed on the police not to conduct a one off investigation on the case but to carry out a discreet investigation and ensure that all those behind the dastardly act are brought to book.
Yaji said “The federal High Court, National Industrial Court and some other specialized Courts in Benue have not sat for today, all of us here have boycotted the courts for today, so it is not a one time investigation that the police will just carry out as normal investigation.
“It has happened to us before and it has happened to us again, we do not want this to happen to us again. We encourage you to step up more investigations into the matter.”
“We have come here today because we know that investigation of crime are for the police. If we have any information we will assist but we will allow the police to perform their constitutional role.”
Speaking on behalf of the Police Commissioner, CP Hassan Yabanet, the Command PPRO, SP Catherine Anene, condoled with the NBA, commending them for the peaceful protest.
Anene appealed to them to remain patient and law abiding as always assuring that the Commissioner of Police, CP, Yabanet, is already working round the clock to unravel mystery behind the murder of their colleague.
She said “Pls remain patient and law abiding as you have always been. We will get to the end to unravel the mystery behind the death of your own and those who perpetrated this act will be brought to book. It is my prayers that God will console all of us.”
