“How my childhood friend was killed in a gun battle between police and kidnappers in Delta” ― Lawyer narrates
“How my childhood friend was killed in a gun battle between police and kidnappers in Delta” ― Lawyer narrates
John Otega Smart, a Nigerian attorney, has expressed his grief over the loss of his childhood friend, Christopher Igbru, who tragically lost his life during a shootout between the police and kidnappers in Warri, Delta State.
On September 27, 2023, officers from the Delta State Police Command confronted and fatally wounded a notorious 32-year-old kidnapper and armed robber named Momotimi, along with three of his accomplices. Two police officers also sustained gunshot injuries during the intense exchange of gunfire.
According to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe, one of the suspects was a Point of Sale (POS) operator who allegedly provided information to Momotimi about potential kidnap victims.
However, John Otega Smart took to Facebook on Saturday, September 30, to dispute this allegation, asserting that his late friend was an honest POS operator who had no knowledge that Momotimi was involved in criminal activities when he provided financial services to him. The lawyer also revealed that both Momotimi and Christopher had grown up in the same neighborhood.
Otega further criticized the police for not affording his friend an opportunity to defend himself before labeling him a criminal and shooting him in what he described as a “commando defense-like system.”
Otega wrote on Facebook,
“You are my brother, my friend, client and close confidant. We were in the suburbs together in our childhood years. We grew up together, I saw you hustle as much as myself,” Otega wrote.
“My mother was a teacher and she taught me to go to school. Yours wasn’t, you didn’t go to school. So, it is expected that when you began your POs business after car wash trial; you didn’t know the kind of friends to avoid because sometimes in lending financial transactions to criminals you could be labeled easily as one them, especially in this crazy country where nobody wants to work and everyone is looking for a quick resolution of criminal investigation
“The Nigerian Police did not give you a chance to explain your innocence before summarily executing you in the glory hour of having brought the kidnapper Emomotimi (who grew up in the same street as me and you) to Justice.
“Upon your arrest, you asked the simple logical question that every illiterate poor Nigerian always asks; “officer Wetin I do?” As I write this piece with hot tears, I have mixed feelings about Nigeria, Justice, Poverty, Illiteracy, Extra Judicial Killing and the reality of underdevelopment of this nation called Nigeria
“My brother “Smallee”, sorry I was not there when you needed me most as a lawyer. Sorry that the Police have killed you without proper investigation and allowing the world to hear your side of the story. They quickly shot you and in a commando defence-like system; labeled you “a POs operator who render services (and info) to emomotimi, claiming that they were attacked and shot back, wherein you were hit in cross fire. Was it not some weeks back that I also cried for the senseless murder of a senior police officer?
“The greatest lesson I have learnt from your death is that no child should be left without proper education and fatherly guidance. My condolences to members of your immediate family. May God forgive us and not allow your innocent blood to count against gullible Nigerians. Adieu Christopher Igbru, Blacky….Smallee!!!! Rest in Perfect Peace Brother”
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