Joy Anyim
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr.Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the immediate transfer of ongoing investigation into the rape and murder of Miss Vera Uwaila Omosuwa, to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja.
The investigation, previously being handled by detectives at the Edo State Police Command, will now be handled by FCID, with direct supervision from the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police in charge of the department, Anthony Ogbizi Michael.
A statement by the police high command on Tuesday, has it that the IGP’s directive is sequel to the preliminary report from the team of investigators and forensic experts earlier deployed to assist the state command in the investigations into the unfortunate incident.
The statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Frank Mba, also stated that henceforth the DIG will ensure speedy and thorough investigation of the case. The IGP had also ordered the immediate deployment of specialized investigators and additional investigation assets to all the Gender Desks Offices and the Juvenile Welfare Centres (JWC) across the country.
“ This is to strengthen and enhance the capacity of the Units to respond to increasing challenges of sexual assaults and domestic/gender-based violence linked with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and other social ills within the country. “ Meanwhile, the IGP has called on members of the public to provide the police useful information that could aid investigations into ongoing cases of sexual assaults and domestic/gender-based violence across the country.
“He also enjoins parents and guardians to pay closer attention to their children and wards in these trying times, ” part of the statement reads.
