George Nkencho: Nigerian government blows hot over the killing of 27-year-old Nigerian in Ireland
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (government agency responsible for the affairs of Nigerians abroad) have expressed dissatisfaction over the fatal killing of a 27-year-old Nigerian, Mr. George Nkencho, in Ireland.
Nkencho was shot by an official garda (Irish police) firearm on Wednesday.
Gardaí were called to Manorsfield Drive in Dublin after reports of a man armed with a knife at a Eurospar shop in Hartstown.
He had reportedly threatened staff at the shop at about 12:15 local time.
After leaving the shop the man threatened uniformed gardaí with a knife in Manorfields Drive.
Gardaí said the man also threatened members of the Armed Support Unit with a knife.
In a statement, Mr. Nkencho’s sister Gloria said her brother was “suffering from serious mental illness and those who knew him know the type of person he was, he was not a thug nor a criminal”.
“My siblings and I have witnessed the most traumatic experience of our lives as our brother was shot in front of us,” she said.
“My family greatly appreciates everything everyone is doing. I kindly ask you to refrain from sharing the video of the shooting. It is not something I wish to be reminded of.”
Reacting to the incident, NIDCOM Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, condemned the killing, describing it as callous and wicked.
Dabiri-Erewa, who was apparently disturbed by the killing, called for a full, thorough, and fair investigation into the matter.
While calling for calm and patience, the NIDCOM boss asked the “obviously enraged Nigerian community in Ireland to exercise patience and await the outcome of an investigation into the unfortunate incident.”
Many people on social media are comparing the Nigerian’s killing to high profile events in the United States, involving the death of black people at the hands of the police.
It was learned that about five shots were fired at the Nigerian after apparent attempts to subdue him by two tasers and pepper spray proved unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, the African Advocacy Network Ireland (AANI) has expressed shock to learn about the callous shooting dead of George Nkencho on Wednesday, December 30.
According to the group, the circumstances surrounding the killing of a mentally challenged young man has enraged the African community and demanded a full independent public inquiry.
SEE FULL STATEMENT HERE:
DABIRI-EREWA DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR NIGERIAN KILLED IN IRELAND
Abuja, December 31, 2020: Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman /CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has condemned in strong terms the killing of Mr George Nkencho, a 27-year-old Nigerian in Ireland.
In a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NIDCOM Head of Media and Public Relations, described the death of a young Nigerian by a Police officer as callous and wicked.
Dabiri-Erewa, who was apparently disturbed by the killing, called for a full, thorough, and fair investigation into the matter.
She appealed to the obviously enraged Nigerian community in Ireland to exercise patience and await the outcome of an investigation into the unfortunate incident.
The NIDCOM boss condoled with the family of Nkencho and the Nigerian community in Ireland over the killing of George and prayed God to give the family and friends the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
Already, the African Advocacy Network Ireland (AANI) has expressed shock to learn about the callous shooting dead of George Nkencho on Wednesday, December 30.
The group said the circumstances surrounding the killing of a mentally challenged young man has enraged the African community and demanded a full independent public inquiry.
Signed.
Abdur-Rahman Balogun
Head, Media and Public Relations NIDCOM
Abuja
