Fear of reprisals is said to be gripping some Ibos living in the ancient kingdom of Grand Bonny in Bonny local government area of Rivers State over the gruesome murder of Oliver Inoma-Abbey, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in Orafiete, Anambra State on Monday.
Bonny an island community and home to multinational oil and gas firms such the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Shell Nigeria, Mobil Producing Nigeria Limited, Chevron Plc, among others, is inhabited a large section of Ibos.
Inoma-Abbey together with another police officer was murdered by persons suspected to be members of the proscribed terrorist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Before his death, he was the Commander-in-charge of Oraifite in the Anambra State Police Command and had allegedly led team policemen in response to a distress call to forestall a kidnap incident in the area before he was allegedly seized and set ablaze by rampaging IPOB youths.
A press statement by the Anambra State Police Command said: “on the 2/12/2019 at about 11:30 a.m., there was a formal complaint against One Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, a member of the proscribed IPOB) in Oraifite on alleged case of abduction, assault occasioning harm and malicious damage to property.”
The statement signed by SP Haruna Mohammed, PPRO Anambra State Police Command noted “Following the report, Police Patrol teams led by the Area Commander, Oraifite ACP Oliver Abbey mobilised and rushed to the scene in order to arrest the suspect who declined Police invitation.”
In the statement signed for Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, Mohammed recalled, “However, as soon as Police arrived the house, armed men suspected to be IPOB members descended on the Police, set ablaze one Patrol vehicle and attacked them with rifles and machetes.
“As a result of the attack, two Police officers whose identities are being withheld were killed by the suspected IPOB members while others were inflicted with machete cuts. The injured personnel were rushed to the hospital for medical attention and are presently receiving treatment.
“Consequently, the Command deployed reinforcements from the State Headquarters comprising of PMF, SARS and Special Anti-Cult Units in conjunction with the Army/other Sister agencies who cordoned off the area in order to fish out the culprits, while Joint patrol are still ongoing in the town to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
“Meanwhile, some arrests were made and the Commissioner of Police CP John B. Abang, fdc who is on his way to the scene has vowed to bring perpetrators of this dastardly act to justice.”
The slain Oliver Inoma-Abbey was to be installed Chief and Head of the Abbey-Hart Chieftaincy House of Bonny Kingdom before he was murdered.
Moreover, Dr. Mrs Rita, the wife of the late ACP, lawyer, and a Senior Police Officer has formally announced the demise of her husband on a Facebook post-Friday.
“This is to officially announce the death of my dear husband ACP Oliver Ibidough Inoma-Abbey. May God alone is praised. He giveth and He taketh. Indeed, God is perfect in all things. Adieu, my dear friend, soulmate and husband. Amen!” Rita wrote.
Dominic Umosen wrote on his Facebook page “I met Oliver over 30 years ago at The Polytechnic (now Cross River State University of Technology), Calabar. Starry-eyed young men. Full of dreams for the future. We did all the things that young men do.
Umosen, an Akwa Ibom-born journalist, recalled “But carrying guns or hacking others with axes and machetes was alien then. He aspired to be the best in his chosen field. Estate Management was what the easy-going young man studied. Met him again, about 28 years after, on social media that Senator Sabi (too sabi), Abdullahi wants to cage. I was pleasantly surprised when he told me he was a cop. And a top cop at that. We planned to reunite. But never got to do so until the worst happened.
“I know that your humble position in eternity is guaranteed. I will miss your gentle smile. And counsel to always take it easy in whatever I do. Dear God, please jump protocol and settle my mate in the best company of Saints departed. Amen. Rest in perfect peace, my man!”
