Parents of slain 20-year-old to demand justice

October 15, 2012 by Adelani Adepegba, Abuja  

 

Lucy Ukpong
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The parents of Lucy Ukpong who was reportedly shot dead by policemen in Abuja on Friday will on Monday (today) visit the Federal Capital Territory Police Command to demand justice for the killing of their daughter.

The Ukpongs,  who reside in Akwa-Ibom State, were scheduled to arrive in Abuja on Sunday to meet with their relations in the city before visiting the police.

Our correspondent learnt that the couple would demand to know what the police authorities were doing to bring their daughter’s killers to book.

Lucy, a salesgirl at a photography shop in Apo area,  was reportedly hit in the chest by bullets allegedly fired  by policemen from the FCT Special Anti-robbery Squad. Three others sustained gunshot wounds during the incident.

The 20-year was said to be inside the shop when she was killed by policemen who had come to enforce the demolition of illegal structures by officials of the FCT Development Control Department.

The deceased had only spent a month on her job before she was killed, according to her employer, Emeka Ani.

The residents of the area had resisted moves to demolish their structures, leading to a confrontation and sporadic gunshots by the policemen.

Ani told our correspondent on  Sunday that Lucy’s parents were expected in Abuja to  find out what happened and also to make arrangements for the release of her body  for burial.

“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,” Ani said.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Doris England, said the Criminal Investigation Department had commenced investigation into the incident, adding that the policemen on duty at the demolition site would be interrogated to know what transpired.

She said, “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.”

SOURCE: The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper 15 October 2012.