Commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators in Delta State staged a protest in Asaba over the killing of Chinaza Sunday, one of their members, during Saturday’s political violence involving supporters of the Obidient Movement. The protesters, operating under the Commercial Motorcycles and Tricycles Operators Association (COMTOA), marched from Summit Road to the Delta State Police Command headquarters, demanding the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the killing. They were armed with placards, calling on the police to ensure justice was served.
The protesters claimed that their deceased colleague was carrying out his legitimate business when he was killed. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration, Philip Adejo, received the protesters at the police headquarters and assured them that the command would investigate the incident and ensure that those found culpable were brought to justice. Adejo confirmed receipt of the association’s petition and urged the protesters to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their hands.
Adejo encouraged the association’s leadership to cooperate with investigators by providing relevant information that could help establish the circumstances surrounding the killing. He said, “We have received your petition. Sometimes self-help can become a serious problem. We sympathise with you; go home and rest because you will see results. It is not going to be like other situations.” The Deputy Commissioner of Police also invited the association’s leadership to meet with investigators to provide any strong information they may have.
Speaking on behalf of COMTOA, a member of its Board of Trustees, Okeoghene Kingsley, described the killing as unjustified. He maintained that the deceased was at his duty post conducting his legitimate business when he was attacked. Kingsley said COMTOA had operated in Delta State for more than 30 years, spanning military administration and successive democratic governments, while consistently promoting discipline and orderliness among its members.
Kingsley expressed confidence in the police but urged the command to ensure that those responsible for the death were identified and prosecuted. He said, “The young man that was murdered was at his duty post carrying out his legitimate duty, where he met his untimely death. As you have said, we want to believe that we have confidence in the Nigerian Police that they will do justice to this issue and those persons should be brought to book.”
The association’s representative further disclosed that members were prepared to assist the police with relevant evidence, including video recordings and information about individuals allegedly involved in the violence. He also rejected any suggestion that the deceased was involved in criminal or political activities, insisting that he was neither an armed robber nor a political thug. Kingsley said, “Chinasa has not been an armed robber. He has not been a thug or a political thug. Everybody you are seeing here is going about our lawful duties. Nobody here is a thug.”
Key points
- Chinaza Sunday was killed during political violence involving supporters of the Obidient Movement.
- The police have promised to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the killing.
- The commercial motorcycle operators are cooperating with the police to ensure justice is served.
