The Rivers Police Command said on Monday that the killers of Port Harcourt-based human rights lawyer, Mr Ken Atsuete, would be brought to justice.
Rivers Public Relations Officer, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, told a news conference in Port Harcourt that Atsuete was killed at 6.00 a.m. on Monday.
He said that the police had commenced investigation into the incident and would ensure that the killers were arrested and prosecuted.
Omoni described the incident as “pure assassination”.
According to him, the lawyer had contacted the police to inform them that there was kidnapping in his area, at Umuogba, Aluu community in Ikwerre Local Government of Rivers.
He said preliminary investigation revealed that Atsuete might have been shot in his car after struggling with the armed men.
He said, “The killers used Atsuete’s car to escape, abandoned it, ran into another car and escaped with it.
“This is an unfortunate thing that has happened. His body has been deposited at the mortuary and police investigation has commenced.
“Ken was the voice of the voiceless. The killers would be brought to justice soon.”
Atsuete was one of the speakers at the just concluded conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, held in Port Harcourt.
He was an ally of former Rivers Governor and current Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
