Rights Group, Family Of Student Shot By Police In Abraka, Visit DELSU VC

By Daniel Dafe

Representatives of the Initiative for Social Rights Concerns and Advancement (ISRCA) AKA No Justice, No Peace and family members of Miss. Rukevwe H. John, the student shot recently by police officers in Oria Abraka, on Friday visited the Vice Chancellor, Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, Prof Andy Egwunyenga, to intimate him on the latest state of health of the victim and make certain demands.

Comr. (Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, National Coordinator, ISRCA, who disclosed this after the meeting, said the VC “was ably represented by the Dean of Students Affairs, Prof Njoseh.”

He said the visit was “regarding the welfare of Miss. Rukevwe H. John, who was shot by a trigger-happy police officer, who has since been detained and also on trial at the Delta State Police Command, Asaba.”

He continued: “It became so imperative to note the unwavering support of the management of the school authorities, who had ensured that Miss. Rukevwe H. John was given the best of attention and care right from the very night of the incident, given to the testimonies of the students and that of the victim’s family,” saying “it was the first of its kind.”

“We are hoping that this attitude is sustained by the school boards but should be in a different situation, as the situation of Miss. Rukevwe H. John should not be a wish or prayer for anyone.

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“Considering the state of Miss. Rukevwe John, the family members registered their concerns that since the sad incident occurred, they have not interfaced with the company undergoing the road construction at Oria, Abraka that employed the services of the police officers either as personal security aides or for safety of the workers on the construction site. It is speculated that they are policemen attached to a state government appointee who is in charge of the ongoing road construction project.

“Whichever ways, we drew the attention of the school authority to reach out to the relevant body, as the welfare of Miss. Rukevwe John, should be the top priority of any right thinking person or an institution.”

He recalled that Miss. Rukevwe sustained and survived three bullet wounds, which had affected vital organs on her body.

Agberen hinted that from surgeries carried out so far, some sessions in the intestine were removed and mended.

Responding to their demands, the Dean of Students Affairs, Prof. I.J. Njoseh on behalf of the VC, Prof Egwunyenga, assured the visitors that they will do all in their capacity to assist and also reach out to the relevant authorities.

Meanwhile, the group called on the Delta State Government to intervene and ensure that Miss. Rukevwe John is duly compensated, considering the damages sustained, saying they do not wish to go into any litigation processes unless otherwise.