Family in Ondo demands justice over alleged killing of son by naval officer

Bereaved family of Omosebine Efotan, 26, who was allegedly killed by some naval officers in Ondo State, have called on President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Assembly, the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe and the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Hilda Harrison, to investigate the murder of their son.

The Guardian gathered that Efotan was allegedly killed by stray bullets from some Nigerian Navy officers stationed at Orioke-Iwamimo Command Unit at Abe-Oroyo, on August 2, 2016 in Ilaje Local Council of the state.

According to the report, the officers invaded the community to help one petroleum dealer in the area, identified as Kehinde Egbayelo, forcefully recover N20,000 debt from one of his customers, Mr. Ebune Iroaye, who was absent they when came.

A source disclosed that the naval officers became angry and shot sporadically into the air. The stray bullets hit the deceased where he was sitting in his mechanic workshop.

Mr. Adeolu Efotan, who spoke for the family, lamented that the incident had been reported at Igbokoda Police Station and the homicide section of the Ondo State Police Command Headquarters, Akure, but no action had since been taken.

In an alleged bid to cover up the incident, the Naval unit, according to him, went back to the community with two Navy gunboats on August 6, to threaten the traditional ruler of the town, Chief Adolphus Efotan.

He stated that while the late Efotan still lies at Ayemafuge Mortuary, Igbokoda, the family is awaiting justice before his burial.

Several attempts to contact the Commander in charge of Forward Operational Base, Nigerian Navy, Igbokoda, Navy Captain Nnabuchi Aniaku, were abortive as his was unreachable.

Nevertheless, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident and said the navy had not handed over the case to the command.

“The incident actually happened but the navy has not handed over the case to us, I think they too must have been doing their own private investigation,” he said.