[News] Nigerian lawyer mourns his friend allegedly shot dead by police in Delta after being labelled “POS operator who provided information” to dreaded kidnap kingpin

A Nigerian lawyer, John Otega Smart, has mourned his childhood friend, Christopher Igbru, who was killed in a gun battle between the police and kidnappers in Warri, Delta State.

LIB reported that operatives of the Delta State Police Command gunned down a 32-year-old dreaded kidnapper and armed robber, Momotimi, alongside three of his gang members on September 27, 2023.

The gang had engaged the police in a fierce gun battle, which resulted in their death, while two officers sustained gunshot injuries.

According to a statement issued by the spokesperson of the command, DSP Bright Edafe, one of the suspects was a POS operator who provided information to Momotimi about potential kidnap victims.

However, the lawyer, in a Facebook post on Saturday, September 30, debunked the allegation, claiming that his friend was an honest POS operator and was unaware that Momotimi was a kidnapper, when he allegedly rendered financial services to him.

The lawyer also revealed that Momotimi grew up in the same street as him and late Christopher.

Otega further knocked the police for not giving his friend a chance to defend himself before they shot him in a ‘commando defence-like system’ after labelling him a criminal.

Mourning him on Facebook, Smart wrote:

“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”