Prosecute police killers of Ikechukwu Iloamauzor – Coalition; Commends Lagos Governor; Demands compensation

A coalition of youth groups in Enugu state, Friday, commended Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his dogged efforts in exposing the police officers who allegedly shot and killed 55 year old Ikechukwu Iloamauzor, an indigene of the state at Surulere, on Monday during #EndSARS protest against police brutality.

Addressing a press conference in Enugu, the youths called on the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and the federal government to prosecute the named officers in order to ensure justice for the deceased, and to also pay compensation to his family.

The youths similarly appealed to Enugu State Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to liaise with his Lagos State counterpart to ensure a befitting burial for Ikechukwu, who hails from Amokwe in Udi local government area of the state.

It will be recalled that the Lagos state governor, Sanwo-Olu had on Thursday named the police officers who allegedly shot at protesters and in the process a stray bullet hit and killed Ikechukwu, who was standing by a car in a traffic hold up.

Sanwo-Olu said, “All the four erring officers whose name I will also mention have also been apprehended and are going through an orderly room trial. They are Inspector Bagou Michael, Inspector Ekpoudom Etop, Sergeant Nnamdi Madura, and Sergent Akinyemi Benson.”

But the youth leaders, including Comrade Pascal Ugwu, Enugu State Coordinator of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN); Wenceslaus Ogbonnia, Chairman of Ohanaeze Youths, Enugu state chapter; Monday Diamond, member National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS); Johnpaul Ani, Special Assistant to Enugu State Governor on Youth Affairs and member Coal City Development Initiative; and Collins Nebo, Enugu state secretary of NYCN and Coordinator Enugu West Youth Assembly, told journalists that they were ready to take to the streets if no action was taken against the police officers that committed the murder.

Pascal Ugwu said, “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the press, today we want to speak about one of our own, Ikechukwu Iloamauzor who was shot dead by trigger happy policemen on the 13th of October 2020 during the #EndSARS protest.

“We want to state categorically that Ikechukwu Iloamauzor is from Enugu state, Udi LGA to be precise and his death cannot be swept under the carpet just like others. Ikechukwu Iloamauzor is a father and a brother to many and he happens to be the breadwinner of his family.

“We received with rude shock his death and we are demanding justice for Ikechukwu Iloamauzor and his family. His family looks up to him for the day to day running of the family both in Lagos and here in Enugu state.

“As we commend the Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his efforts so far, we urge the police and government to identify the family, work with them and see how Ikechukwu will be given a befitting burial… this is the only thing that will restrain us from taking to the streets to demand for justice for this young man who has been doing well in Lagos, who has been feeding his family and seeing to the education of his children. The family cannot be left to starve because of the death of Ikechukwu Iloamauzor.”

On his part, the Ohanaeze Youth Leader, Wenceslaus said, “The Enugu youths are not happy. We demand justice, and the killer of Ikechukwu should be brought to book. We also pray that the governor of Enugu state, the most peaceful governor in Nigeria should also liaise with his colleagues, probably the governor of Lagos state to ensure befitting burial for Ikechukwu”.