The Inspector-General of Police, M.D Abubakar, has set up a high-powered team from the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID), to take over the investigation of the shooting death of Ugochukwu Ozuah on September, 2012 to find his killers.

According to various accounts, newly-wed Ozuah, who had returned from his honeymoon only a few days earlier, was shot and killed on a Gbagada, Lagos, street while he was waiting for a taxi to take home one of his guests.  They said a police van loaded with inebriated policemen simply pulled up and one of them shot the newly-wed at close range.

A statement issued today by Frank E. Mba, a Police Public Relations Officer, said that the IGP’s directive is necessitated by the need to maintain neutrality, professionalism, [and] speedy and holistic dispensation of justice.

“While commiserating with the family, friends and relations of the deceased, the IGP reassured the nation that the Force will do everything humanly and operationally possible to ensure that the perpetrators of the crime are unmasked and eventually brought to book,” the statement said.

Mr. Abubakar appealed to members of the public, especially those who may have witnessed the crime, to come forward with useful information that could aid the FCID team in tracking those responsible for them, reminding the public they could also reach the police by the email address: [email protected].

He further promised that the Special Investigating Team charged with the handling of this case will be releasing special dedicated phone lines for purposes of interaction with members of the public as soon as they are on ground in Lagos.

He appealed for calm, patience, understanding and support, while efforts are being intensified to unravel the crime.

While examples of similar crimes are not unheard-of in Nigeria, one problem is that once they involve the police, the culprits are rarely found.  In 2008, for instance, a highly-respected pilot and aviation advocate, Jerry Agbeyegbe, was murdered in circumstances in which the police was deeply involved.  His death has not been solved.

– SaharaReporters