Reps move to investigate alleged killing of Enugu lady by DSS operative

The House of Representatives is to investigate the alleged fatal shooting of a young lady, Miss Chinenye Opah, at Ologo Quarters, Coal Camp, Enugu penultimate Friday.

This is sequel to a petition by the uncle of the deceased, Mr Emeka Opah, presented and laid at House plenary by the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Toby Okechukwu on Thursday.

Presenting the petition, Okechukwu, who represents Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency in Enugu said: “This petition is with regard to a constituent of mine, Miss Opah, whose uncle had written to the House. Miss Opa, was attacked while plying her trade about a week ago; and this attack was orchestrated by suspected security agents. It happened at Coal Camp in Enugu. And incidentally, there was a stampede and she was shot with two bullets.

“They went to four different hospitals, but unfortunately, none of them was able to give her any medical attention because it was a gunshot wound and sadly, this my constituent died.

“So, the uncle has written to this House as a Parliament that deals with the welfare of Nigerians, as a Parliament that has the capacity, by our constitution, to deal with matters of this nature, to come to the aid of this family and my constituent by investigating why this should happen to her.”

Meanwhile, in the petition dated March 22, 2022, Mr Opah, wrote: “On Friday, the 18th of March 2022, my niece Miss Chinenye Opah at about 1:30 pm was shot and killed by a Security Operative suspected to be Department of Security Services (DSS) Operatives.

“On that said date, I was in the office when a good Nigerian called my phone and told me to begin to rush to Ologo Street, Coal Camp where my niece has a problem. I tried to find out what happened but he could not continue with the discussion. I immediately headed to Ologo but on getting there they have already moved her to Good Shepherd Hospital Uwani Enugu where she was refused treatment on the ground that it was a gunshot injury. I met them there but my niece was no longer talking. The good Nigerian told me that she was shot by DSS Operatives.

According to them, the DSS Operatives came to a shop where my niece and other people are, with two Hilux jeeps and started shooting sporadically. In the ensuing confusion and stampede, everybody started running for his/her life. In the process, the DSS Operatives shot her. We went to four hospitals including Eastern Nigerian Medical centre, which refused to attend to her and she was finally confirmed dead at the Parklane Hospital Enugu.

“We came back and deposited the body at Eastern Nigeria Medical Centre Enugu and went to report the matter at Ikirike Police Station. We also met the owner of the shop at the police station who collaborated on the story. He said they were able to pick some spent bullet shells, which was equally handed over to the police.

“I strongly believe that she was murdered by the DSS for no reason. She is a Baker by Profession and was not at the scene of the crime. She equally does not pose any threat whatsoever to the DSS operatives, as she was actually running away from them. Shooting her at the upper region shows it is a deliberate action aimed at snuffing life out of her.

“My fear is that the spent bullet shells picked was handed over to the police and there may attempt to cover-up.

Please I need your urgent help to ensure that Chinenye gets justice. Please help”.

Referring the petition to the Committee on Public Petition to the investigation, the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila regretted that Miss Opah died the way she did despite legislation legalising medical attention to gunshot victims. (Saturday Tribune: Excluding headline)