From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Former Minister of State for Education, Kenneth Gbagi, has condemned in strong terms Wednesday’s killing of a mother and child at the popular PTI junction in Uvwie local government area of Delta State.
This is even as he has called on the state authorities to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act.
Both mother and child, according to eye witness reports in video clips circulating on various social media platforms, were alleged to have been killed by a speeding Police Hilux vehicle said to be on a hot chase after internet fraudsters.
Gbagi, while reacting to the incident, in a statement he personally signed on Thursday in Abuja, sympathized with the families of the deceased and appealed to residents of Uvwie to remain calm and eschew taking laws into their hands.
He also called on the relevant security agencies in the state to adopt proactive measures towards unraveling the details behind the mystery deaths.
According to Gbagi, doing so besides putting the incident to rest, would go a long way in preventing a break down of law and order within Uvwie and its environs as witnessed immediately after the killing of the victims.
The statement reads: “I condemn in the strongest terms, the gruesome murder of a yet to be identified mother and child around the PTI junction in Uvwie local government area of Delta State.
“The incident which occurred on Wednesday has sparked widespread criticisms and condemnations from Nigerians following the incident.
“I, therefore, wish to appeal to residents of Uvwie local government area to maintain calm and not take the laws into their hands, but rather allow the relevant authorities get to the root of the tragic incident.
“While there are allegations circulating on social platforms suggesting that some policemen were responsible for the murder, I urge relevant security agencies in the state to immediately swing into action by adopting proactive measures towards unraveling the actual cause of the deaths.
“To the family of the deceased mother and child, my deepest sympathies are extended to you. May God grant you strength and consolation at this moment to bear the irreparable loss of your loved ones,” he said.