Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN) has reacted to the killing of a youth leader identified as Joseph Pessu by soldiers who were enforcing a lockdown order at Arenyenka street, along Ugbuwangue axis of the NPA Expressway in Warri, Delta state.
The incident which happened at about 9:40am on Thursday, April 2, while the victim was riding his power bike, caused chaos in the community as youths attacked soldiers in retailiation to Pessu’s death.
In a statement he released on the death the Pessu, the Delta-born Minister condemned the killing and extremity of the security personnel. He also vowed that he will be forwarding a petition to military authorities to carry out an immediate and thorough investigation into the killing to ensure that the killer(s) are brought to book.
Keyamo wrote: “I unreservedly condemn this barbaric act by men of the armed forces who should exercise restraint when dealing with the civilian populace.
“I have received disturbing reports and images of the high-handedness and shooting of innocent citizens by men of the armed forces deployed to enforce the COVID-19 lockdown in my State, Delta State.
“Specifically, I have received reports of the killing of an innocent young man, Mr. Joseph Pessu in Warri. I unreservedly condemn this barbaric act by men of the armed forces who should exercise restraint when dealing with the civilian populace.
“I will be forwarding a petition to the relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate this murder and bring the officer(s) to book. In the interim, let us not take the laws into our hands, please.
“I will also use this medium to sincerely appeal to my brothers and sisters in Delta State to be law-abiding and obey the orders of restrictions imposed by both the Delta State Government and the Federal Government. They are lawful orders and they are for our own good.
“Images and reports of attack on law-enforcement agents by the civilian populace do not help our cause. I call on all and sundry in the entire country too to exercise the utmost restraint at this point. Thank you”
Meanwhile, Pessu’s friends have taken to social media to mourn his death. See their posts below.
