BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Edo State Police Command has ordered the immediate withdrawal and questioning of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Auchi Divisional Headquarters, CSP Ayodele Suleiman over the death of a suspect apprehended in connection with the bloody attack on the General overseer of Omega Fire Ministry Intl., Apostle Johnson Suleiman.
The attack took place in Auchi area of Edo State on Friday, October 21, 2022.
Outgoing commissioner of police, now Assistant Inspector-General, AIG Abutu Yaro gave the order as part of investigation launched into the attack that claimed three police inspectors and three civilians.
The deputy Public Relations Officer for Edo State Police Command ASP Jennifer Iwegbu stated this in a statement released on Saturday, October 22, 2022.
“As part of the measures of the Command concerning the circumstances that led to the death of one of the surviving members of the monstrous gang that attacked the convoy of Apostle Johnson Suleiman, General overseer of Omega Fire Ministry, the outgoing CP now AIG Abutu Yaro fdc has ordered the withdrawal of CSP Ayodele Suleiman, DPO Auchi for debriefing at the State Headquarters with immediate effect”, she stated.
Earlier, the state police command also in a release by the Assistant Public Relations Officer ASP Jennifer Iwegbu gave the names of the victims of the attack as Insp Igbaugba Paragon, Insp Afensumu Philip, Insp Akpolor Monday who are all aides of the Apostle and three civilians, Ahmed Promise, Momoh Ilegogie, as well as one Janet (surname unknown).
One Vera (surname unknown) was suspected to have been whisked away by the assailants.
“The Edo State Police Command has been inundated by an ugly incident that occurred yesterday 21/10/22 at about 1745hrs along Warreke-Auchi road, Edo State where the convoy vehicle of the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministry, Apostle Johnson Suleiman was attacked by unknown assailants suspected to be assassins.
“On receipt of this information, DPO Auchi immediately mobilised Policemen, gave the assailants a hot chase, and engaged them. One of the assailants was neutralized in the process and one Toyota Avensis car WITH REG NO LAGOS KRD 92 HU was also recovered.
“The bodies of the deceased have since been deposited at the morgue while intense bush coming and intelligence gathering is still ongoing for possible arrests of the assailants”, ASP Jennifer Iwegbu stated.
She added that the outgoing CP, now AIG Abutu Yaro had ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department,CID, DCP Samuel Olawore, Explosive and Ordinance Investigators and Forensic experts to the scene, as Tactical Teams led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, operations, ACP James Chu were advancing to the general area to conduct further coordinate pursuit of the assailants.
“He commensurates with the bereaved families and prays to God to console them, as the authority of the Nigerian Police Force share from the moment of their grief while assuring that the perpetrators of this heinous crime must be brought to book to face the consequences of their action.
“It further urges the good people of the State to swiftly report any strange movement, or unusual gathering within their environment to the police and other sister security agencies noting that security is everybody’s business.
“Meanwhile field operational contact lines for discerning members of the Public to furnish the investigation team with any possible clues are as follows; DC OPs 0803 669 5572, Control Room Numbers 08077773721, 08067551618, 08056776365, 08123827225, 08037646272 and PPRO 2 09063738742”, she noted.
Earlier, Apostle Suleman had taken to twitter, condemning the killing of the suspect by the police, and alleging it was a ploy to cover up the source of crime.
