Investigators probing into role of ANC cop in Nigerian murder

TEAM HERALD

teamherald@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: As investigation into the brutal killing of Obado Uzoma Simeon is underway, Goa police have stumbled upon information that could land a constable attached to the Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) in trouble and possibly jail for allegedly conspiracy in the murder.

It is learnt that the constable, whose identity has been kept under wraps until the completion of an internal inquiry by the ANC’s top officer, was allegedly in constant touch with the attackers on the fateful night, when the Nigerian was hacked to death. 

The local gang, whose member Surendra Pol is behind bars, had also reportedly attacked a police informant who had links with Simeon. Other suspected gang members including Omkar Palyekar, grandson of an ex-MGP MLA are still at large. 

“The informant’s tip-offs to the police on drugs were through Simeon. The constable was well aware of this link. On the night Simeon was attacked, the constable had made a number of calls to the local gang. The attack on Vijayan and subsequent fatal stabbing of the Nigerian was due to the men in khaki,” a source disclosed. The informant was attacked near a night bar at Anjuna. 

Sources also reveal that next morning ~October 31, when Simeon’s brutalised body was sighted at Parra, the constable alerted the gang members giving them enough time to escape arrest by police. 

“The constable was on sick leave on the night of the murder. We have sought records of his call details,” said an officer, not ruling out the possibility that the personnel could have conspired with the local gang that murdered the Nigerian and involved in drug trafficking.  

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is on record claming that Simeon’s death is linked to a feud between two gangs engaged in drug trafficking.

The police are meanwhile collecting evidence to ascertain whether a newly recruited police sub-inspector in whose name the Toyota Innova car is registered, which was allegedly used to ferry Simeon’s body by assailants, is connected with the case. It has been informed that the car was in fact used by the anti-drug teams to conduct raids. Simeon’s body is still lying in the Goa Medical College morgue. Mapusa police said the Nigerian embassy would take it. 

“There is no information of drug trafficking happening, which was rampant till a couple of days ago. They are lying low following the crackdown,” said a senior officer. It is also learnt that some consignments of illegal drugs (which were in transit) have been cancelled fearing raid. 

The ANC and the Narcotics Control Bureau have been successively busting clandestine operations and arrests.

Explaining the modus operandi of some foreign drug syndicates, an official said that they systemically operate to avoid coming under police radar. “The Russians sell narcotics to their own nationals. It is similar with some South African nationals as well,” he said. 

This reminds of the 2010 police-drug mafia nexus involving at least 18 ANC officers who are currently under suspension and are being investigated by CBI.