Rivers CP Says Family Of Graduate Killed By Police Will Get Justice

The Rivers State Police Command has promised justice to the family of Gospel Gbaraka, a polytechnic graduate, who was shot dead by a policeman in Port Harcourt on Sunday November 22, 2020.

The state police commissioner, Joseph Mukan, gave the pledge when the President of the Ogoni Youths Federation (OYF), Comrade Legborsi Yamaabana led Gbaraka’s parents and family to visit him on Monday to express their grievance over the incident.

He said the police had already activated internal disciplinary measures against the suspect, identified as Inspector James.

“The truth is that we cannot send policemen to go out there and kill the citizen they are detailed to protect. The firearm you are given is to protect the lives and property of citizens and not to use it against them. Justice must be done and you will see it being done. We have already put up the machinery of internal disciplinary actions,” he said.

The OYF President said Ogoni Youths want to see justice done on behalf of the family of the deceased.

“A son of the Ogoni has been gunned down unjustly by the police, we are angry because the Ogonis have suffered in the hands of the police for too long,” he said.

Gbaraka, who worked as a security guard with Prudential Guards in Port Harcourt, was allegedly shot dead by a Marine Police Officer simply identified as Inspector James on Sunday Morning.

THE WHISTLER learnt that the killing was due to “accidental discharge” as both the deceased and the police officer never had any altercation and neither was there any security situation in the area that would have warranted the shooting.

Father of the deceased, Mr. Innocent Gbaraka, told THE WHISTLER, “My son was my only hope for survival. I recall how I managed to train my son in Polytechnic only for his life to be cut short. The Police Authority should ensure justice on the matter.