By Wilbet Ijeoma
The tragic incident of the drowned and missing drug law enforcement officers chasing after drug offenders reported in Obiaruku is heart-wrecking. Sincere condolences to the drug law enforcement agency and the families of the deceased.
It is however discerning to distill lessons from the unfortunate incident for public enlightenment.
Drug abuse is an offence in Nigeria law and is confronted by the drug law enforcement agency. That is to say, the deceased officer was discharging his legitimate duties to rid our community of the crime.
But in the discharge of legitimate duties, especially in non-native stations, officers/workers should be guided by both the national conscience and that the customs and traditions of the natives. These customs should form part of officers routine safety tips as revealed to the agency by the traditional institution of the community.
The physiological perspective of the tragic loss could be attributed to bronchia complications arising from drowning. Other fact finding could reveal non-compliance of safety rules- whether the officer was equipped with life jacket before approaching the river for crackdown, or whether he possessed requisite swimming skills,. The latter is not in doubt because the officers who are adults and knowledgeable jumping into the river should know how to swim. In this case, safety standard and compliance is put to the strictest test .
The sociocultural perspective is the native traditions and implications which could be attributed as possible cause of the tragic loss. The Onoku River (River Ethiope) is a renown monument or sanctuary of traditional adherents of the natives and their progeny. For the natives, the Onoku River is believed to invoke protection against danger or attack especially when it served as a place of asylum or safety as it were in this case.
A place of refuge for fleeing offenders is called a sanctuary or an asylum typical of the Onoku River. Historically, this often referred to a church or sacred place where fugitives were immune from arrest. In modern legal terms, it can also refer to a safe haven or a non-extradition center if an offender flees and finds his way to that location.
Giving credence to the above, former Imo State Governor, H.E. Senator Rochas Anayo Owelle Okokocha was reported to have established immunity or non-extradiction center for offenders during his administration. The Akachi “Hand of God” monument reportedly served thus purpose as safety haven for law offenders until the State hears the matter.
The Onoku sanctuary factor should not be discountenanced in the Obiaruku’s tragic case, especially when the fleeing offenders are natives scrambling for safety and protection.
The Lesson
There should be a point where discharge of legitimate duties and traditions/customs of the natives should meet and agree in principle, even if it is not documented as law. It should guide the conscience and actions of officers/workers especially non-natives in the course of discharging their legitimate duties.
