Rumpus As Police Demotes Officers Who Survived Gunmen Attack

• Yusuf Oketola

The decision of the Police authorities to demote three officers in the Nsukka Division, Enugu state, after they narrowly survived an attack by unknown gunmen a few months ago has generated a long of controversies, OSUN DEFENDER gathered.

According to sources, the three officers, Inspectors Ernest Ogbonna, Aboh Justin and Kingsley Ugwuja were said to be on duty at a hot spot along Nsukka-Ibagwa Ani Road in June when they were attacked by over 10 heavily armed hoodlums in a white Hilux and Siena bus.

The daredevil criminals according to eyewitnesses opened fire on them and the gallant officers returned fire in a fight that lasted for about one hour.

The medium gathered that after the intense fire exchange, the police officers succeeded in chasing away the criminals some of whom sustained injuries.

Unfortunately, during the exchange of fire the criminals succeeded in setting fire to the police van but there was no loss of lives, police arms were intact and no member of the police team sustained any injury

Police sources said that afterwarfs, the officers were queried and an orderly room trial carried out.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that when the result of the trial came out, the gallant officers demoted, a decision that was also affirmed by the AIG at Zone 13, Ukpo, Anambra state, who oversees the activities of police officers in Enugu and Anambra.

The punishment, according to sources, sent shock waves amongst the rank and file of both commands as they have been victims of ceaseless attacks by criminals masquerading as unknown gunmen for long.

According to police officers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Journalists that they had been in low spirits after the unfair punishment was meted out on the gallant officers.

According to the officers, “Does it mean that the authorities expected them to die and be decorated in death after they performed so gallantly?

“There were only three ill-equipped officers but they were able to confront a heavily armed gang of criminals numbering over 10. They came out without injuries and loss of arms yet the accolade police gave them was to demote them. This is outrageous and we cry to high heavens for justice.”

Reports said that the concerned officers had since appealed the injustice meted on them and are eagerly awaiting redress by the Inspector General of Police.