Speaker, Taraba House of Assembly condemns killing of council chair driver by police

Dr Albasu Kunini, Speaker, Taraba House of Assembly on Wednesday condemned the killing of 37-year-old Oliver Ezra, driver to the Chairman of Lau Local Government Council by the police in Jalingo.

Kunini made the condemnation in Jalingo when youths, under the auspices of “One Taraba Youth Coalition’ stormed the House of Assembly complex.

The coalition was at the House to register its grievances over the shooting to death of Ezra at a police checkpoint on the Jalingo-Numan Highway.

Welcoming the protesters, the speaker said: “I receive you to the State House of Assembly complex today with a very heavy heart.

“We woke up on Tuesday with the shocking news of the death of one of you, Oliver Ezra, as a result of police action.

“This should not be happening now. We in the House of Assembly will not rest on our oars until the deceased receives justice, even in death; he was an asset.

“The Commissioner of Police says the culprit has been apprehended and will face necessary disciplinary action according to Police Act, and thereafter he will be charged in court.

“As lawmakers, we will not condone such heinous crimes by police personnel who are being paid by taxpayers’ money to protect our lives and property.

“As a parliament, we don’t address people on the streets; therefore you are in the right place to register your protest against police action and the killing of Ezra.

“I assure you that we will diligently follow up to ensure that justice is served on the culprit.

“I cannot imagine training my son up to university level, and after graduation, his life is cut short by a trigger-happy policeman. It is very sad,’’ the speaker said.

Mr Philip Achagwa, leader of the coalition, told the speaker that members came to present their letter of protest through the house to the Inspector-General of Police against extra-judicial killing of Ezra by one Sgt. Haruna Idi.

The One Taraba Youth Coalition is a non-religious, non-ethnic, non-secretive and a non-profit-making hub of youths created to showcase and promote the beauty, diversity, culture and people of Taraba.

It is aimed at uniting indigenous tribes and non-indigenes alike with a view to lending one voice on critical issues of development.

Ezra died of gunshot wounds at the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo on Tuesday.

– NAN