The Edo State Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up to look into allegations of brutality by the now disbanded Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has summoned the state Commissioner of Police, Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, and SP, John . E. Agaga, to appear before it over alleged murder of five youths on December 21
The youths were alleged to have been killed in Itsukwi Community in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state in December 2019.
Counsel to Chief U. K. Yahaya and four others, Kami Asunogie, told the panel that in less than five minutes, SP. John . E. Agaga allegedly killed five youths of the community over a minor conflict between two neighbouring communities that could have been resolved amicably.
He said the youths were only waiting for an address for their village heads to be read when the police rained bullets and killed them.
“The matter started on the 28 December, 2019. An issue between two communities, named Imiakebu and Itsukwi in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo under the jurisdiction of the police station in Agenebode.
He said every attempt to seek justice has been resisted by the police.
Yahaya said they decided to approach the panel to ask the police to release the corpses to the family for burial and to also recommend compensation for the community.
“We have come to this panel to seek for justice. The bodies of our youths that were killed, have to be released to us for burial. They have been in the morgue since December 2019.
“We want compensation for our community. Those persons, have relations, and, they must be compensated”, he said.
