A popular Ogene Musician “Igbo Jah” identified as Okezie Chikezie Mba, has been reportedly shot dead by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force attached to an anti-cult unit of the Enugu State Police Command.
This is coming barely two weeks after some policemen on stop-and-search operations allegedly shot and killed one Smith Odinaka along the Enugu-Port-Harcourt Expressway, while on steering.
The Enugu State Police Command has yet to fish out the rogue policemen who committed the atrocious act nearly two weeks after the incident that happened on October 13. ThePaan reporters gathered that the recent incident occurred on Friday at the Tactical Squad’s Headquarters.
An X user Naija Trend which shared the video of the lifeless body of the deceased in a pool of blood on his handle, said he was killed while performing in Enugu in what had been tagged, “accidental discharge”. It wrote: “Popular Ogene Musician ‘Igbo Jah’ Has Tragically Passed After Being Shot By Anti-cult Police Officer In What Has Been Described As An ‘Accidental Discharge’ While Performing In Enugu.”
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the unfortunate incident, noting that the police officer involved had been arrested and detained.
The Command spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe who confirmed the incident to ThePaan reporters on Saturday, said that the Commissioner of Police Kanayo Uzuegbu had consoled and assured family and friends of the late musician that the police officer and anyone else found culpable would be appropriately sanctioned to serve as a deterrent.
He said: “A male Police Inspector serving in the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad of the Enugu State Police Command has been arrested and detained for the alleged murder of a male traditional Ogene musician, Okezie Chikezie Mba, popularly known as Igbo-Jah. The incident occurred around 8:10 p.m. on October 25, 2024, at the Tactical Squad’s Headquarters.
“The musician was reportedly leaving the Squad’s Headquarters after a friendly visit when, for reasons yet to be ascertained, the police officer fired his rifle, hitting the victim. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the attending doctor. His body has been deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
“The Commissioner of Police, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State CID to conduct a full-scale investigation to facilitate prompt and appropriate disciplinary actions against the police officer.
“The Commissioner empathises and consoles the victim’s family, friends, and associates, describing the unfortunate incident as unacceptable. He assures that the police officer and anyone else found culpable will be sanctioned in line with the law to serve as a deterrent. “CP Kanayo urges everyone connected to the victim to remain calm and cooperate with the police to ensure justice is served.”
