by Isi Esene
These are certainly not the best of times for the Nigeria Police Force, a few days after been accused of being complicit in the killing of the four UNIPORT students at Aluu in Rivers State, the force is yet again being held responsible for the killing of a salesgirl, Lucy Ukpong, who was shot in the chest on Friday allegedly by policemen attached to the FCT Special Anti-robbery Squad.
The victim’s parents who reside in Akwa Ibom state will today (Monday) be visiting the police authorities to demand an explanation into the circumstances that led to the death of their daughter and what is being done to bring the perpetrators to book.
Ukpong, 20, was a salesgirl at a photography shop at Apo Area of Abuja where policemen had come to enforce the demolition of illegal structures by officials of the FCT Development Control Department. Three other people were said to have sustained gunshot wounds in the incident.
According to reports, the residents of the structures marked for demolition had resisted the FCT Development Control Department’s action leading to a confrontation and sporadic gunshots by the policemen.
Ukpong’s employer, Emeka Ani said her parents were expected in Abuja yesterday and will today meet with police authorities to get details of the incident and also to make arrangements for the release of her body for burial.
He said, “We are expecting Lucy’s parents in Abuja today (Sunday); they are already on their way and we believe they will get here before nightfall. My boy who was injured in the hand by gunshot is recovering.”
Doris England, the FCT Police Public Relations officer, said investigations are ongoing on the incident assuring the public that the Force Criminal Investigation Department will interrogate the policemen on duty at the demolition site to know what exactly transpired.
“By Monday or Tuesday, the CID would have interrogated the policemen and the development control officials to know what happened on that day. I cannot give any update until the conclusion of investigation,” she said.