Nigerians in Ireland are protesting the killing of 27-year-old George Nkencho that was shot dead by the Garda.
Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa descibed the killing as “callous” in a statement released on Thursday.
Nkencho is reported to have been killed during an incident in West Dublin on Wednesday afternoon.
His death enraged Nigerians living in the country leading to a protest outside the Garda Station by Thursday morning.
The statement by NiDCOM:
“In a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NIDCOM Head of Media, 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 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 youngman has enraged the African community and demanded a full independent public inquiry. Signed Abdur-Rahman Balogun Head, Media and Public, Relations NIDCOM Abuja.”
Messages on social media likened Nkencho’s death to similar premeditated racially informed fatal incidences in the United States of America
Gloria Nkencho, George’s sister has expressed gratitude to everyone who has stood by her family after the incident.
However, she appealed to friends to refrain from sharing videos of the incident so the family could heal from the trauma.
Her statement:
On its part, the Garda narrated that “Uniformed, unarmed Gardai responded to the scene and observed a male in possession of a knife.
“The male continued to threaten members of the public and unarmed Garda with the knife.
“The Armed Support Unit were also threatened with a knife and implemented a graduated response where the use of less-lethal force options (taser and OC spray) was initially administered in an effort to resolve the incident.
“The less-lethal use of force options were unsuccessful.
“At approximately 12:35pm, a member of the Armed Support Unit discharged a number of shots from the official fireman, shooting the male.
“The male was treated at the scene by Garda Armed Support Unit paramedics and Dublin Fire Brigade paramedics and transfers to Connolly Hospital Blancardstown.”
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Nigerians Protest the Killing of 27-Year-Old Nkencho in Ireland