The Imo State Police Command on Tuesday promised prompt payment of the
entitlements of the two policemen who lost their lives during the
robbery attack on a Zenith Bank branch on Wetheral Road, Owerri, Imo
State.
The state Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, while
commending The PUNCH Newspapers for doing a “thorough job”, said the
police would not abandon the victims’ families.
This is just as
Zenith Bank said it would foot the bills for the treatment of Sergeant
Otu Attang, who lost one of his eyes during the attack.
The
company said it would also sponsor the education of the children of the
late two cops, Sergeant Chukwudi Iboko and Sergeant Sunday Agbo.
PUNCH
Metro had reported that a gang of four attacked the Zenith Bank branch
on February 22, 2017, carting away some undisclosed amount of money from
a customer whom they trailed to the premises.
However, the
incident gained public attention early June when footage of the bank’s
Closed Circuit Television Camera, which captured the moments of the
robbery, was released to the public.
The 2.58 minutes video,
which immediately went viral, showed a courageous Chuwkwudi engaging the
robbers in a gun duel from a security post at the bank’s entrance.
One of the robbers, later identified as Ikechukwu Opara, was shot dead while sneaking to the security post.
Soon after, Chukwudi could be seen running out of the security post as one of the robbers shot continuously in his direction.
He was said to have died the following day, following gunshot injuries he sustained during the attack.
Another
policeman with him on the premises, Agbo, was also said to have died
shortly afterwards, while the third policeman, Attang, lost one of his
eyes.
In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH Newspapers,
Chukwudi’s widow, Rose, lamented that one of their eight children,
Chukwuebuka, died from shock during the burial of the father.
The
PUNCH Newspapers and some social activists, led by Kayode Ogundamisi,
in response to the call of readers and Nigerians from different parts of
the world, inaugurated a GofundMe account to raise $15,000 for the
family, a feat that was achieved within 24 hours.
However, the
Imo State CP, Ezike, during a press briefing at the command’s
headquaters in Owerri, described the slain cops as heroes who would
never be forgotten.
He recalled that shortly after the robbery,
the command got a marching order to arrest the robbers that killed the
cops who were from the 18 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Owerri.
Ezike
said investigations led to the arrest of the robbery suspects, which
included 36-year-old Justice Ogbonna, aka JJ; Abiye Charles; and
Okechukwu Nwanegbo, aka Modestus.
The commissioner said the police recovered two AK-47 rifles and one AK-49 rifle with 175 rounds of ammunition from the suspects.
Also recovered were four cars – one Toyota Avalon, two Toyota Camry, and one Toyota Corrolla.
“Let
me state for the avoidance of doubt that the trio of Sergeant Chukwudi
Iboko, Sergeant Sunday Agbo and Sergeant Otu Attang, remain our heroes.
They were gallant, professional, and courageous; they displayed
encouraging passion in defence of lives and property. The Nigeria Police
Force, under the able leadership of the Inspector-General of Police,
Ibrahim Idris, has not, did not and will not abandon them and/or their
families.
“As you are well aware, the Nigeria Police Force is a
Federal Government agency governed by laws, rules and regulations in all
matters, including financial matters. Be rest assured, therefore, that
the financial rights, entitlements, benefits and even privileges of
these our own shall be fully paid, and on time too.
“The two
deceased officers were recommended for posthumous promotion, while the
injured officer was also recommended for a special promotion to his next
rank. I am very confident that very soon, the Inspector-General of
Police will graciously announce the promotions. Similarly, the command
is in constant touch with the families of the deceased officers. We have
made and will continue to make financial assistance to cushion the
effect of the loss of their loved breadwinners.”
He said the
management of the bank gave financial assistance for the burial expenses
of the victims and released start-up business funds for the deceased
families.
Ezike noted that the bank also agreed to be giving
monthly allowances to the families, including a promise of scholarship
to any level of education for the children of the deceased officers.
He
thanked Nigerians for their support since the security video went
viral, saying the job of protecting lives and property could be
hazardous.
The police boss said the state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, had promised to meet the families of the policemen.
PUNCH
Metro learnt that one Mr. John Ekweanuo of Sparvi Charity Foundation
Worldwide presented the sum of N500,000 to Chukwudi’s family at the
briefing.
A blogger, IfeanyiCy Njoku, who made the presentation, said the foundation was touched by the bravery of the policeman.
“The
money was presented to the widow in the presence of heads of police
formations in Imo State and the state Commissioner of Police,” he added.
GoFundMe account swells
Meanwhile, Nigerians have not stopped contributing towards the welfare
of the seven children and widow of late Sergeant Chukwudi Iboko.
On
the GoFundMe account page created by The PUNCH Newspapers and some
social activists, about 465 people have raised $18,758, which is in
excess of the $15,000 target.
The donors lauded the courage
displayed by Chukwudi and urged the government to review the insurance
policy of policemen in the country.
In order to ensure the
judicious use and management of the funds, PUNCH has selected two
non-governmental organisations to join Kayode Ogundamisi, the social
activist who spearheaded the creation of the appeal to arrange for the
withdrawal of the funds and its transfer to the beneficiaries.
The account is domiciled in the United States.
The
two organisations are the Development Support Initiative, whose
Director is Mrs. Jackline Odiadi, and Rock of Ages Foundation (Abuja),
whose head is Mr. Ignatius Ezeigbo.
The two NGOs agreed to
arrange for the disbursement, travel to the family and other related
issues for free and without making any deductions from the funds.