Published 24th Oct, 2021

By Tola Owoyele

On October 10, Emmanuel Ukpong Dickson, 26, leader of a cultural dance group called Nkotriko in Idua Eket, Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, was shot dead in his father’s compound by a police officer attached to the Akwa Ibom Police Command.

Dickson had temporarily left the venue of an event to pick up something at home when he became another victim of police brutality.

The victim, who also worked as a welder, was almost at his family’s residence on Edoho Ukpong Street, Idua Eket, at around 4 pm, when he saw people running to avoid being arrested by some policemen who were said to be on a raid.

Since he still had an event to return to, Emmanuel instinctively ran into his father’s compound.

“The moment he ran into his compound, one of the police officers ran after him and shot him in the head at close range, and he died on the spot,” said a resident of Edoho Ukpong, who requested not be named.

FIJ learned that Dickson was the breadwinner of his family. A few days after the incident, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command was said to have arrested Awana Oku Jacob, the police officer who shot at him.

In a chat with FIJ, Ekemini David, the National President of Eket Youths Union, said, “As a union president, I have written to both the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police and the PPRO on this matter.

“However, since the alleged arrest of the officer, the police has not issued an official statement on Emmanuel’s death, two weeks after the incident and despite several cries for justice by the people of Eket,” Ekemini added.

The youth leader also said Eket youths will continue to demand justice over Emmanuel’s death until the police do the right thing.

FIJ made several calls to Odiko Ogbeche-Macdon, Akwa Ibom police spokesperson, but they were unanswered. A text message sent to him was also not responded to.

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