Umar Abdullah calls for investigation into police killing

“The Islamic Front would not stand idly by in the face of an act which is bound to erode public trust in our security forces, Abdullah said.

“This approach to battling the challenges of crime and corruption in our nation must be reviewed.

Those responsible for this behaviour must be brought to account and pay a heavy price,” Abdullah said.

Conflicting reports surrounds the shooting death of Martins said to be a member of the Unruly ISIS gang (now referred to as the Masjid of Peace) which is based in Enterprise, Chaguanas. Police said shortly before 4 pm on Friday, Martins opened fire at their members who returned fire at Caroni Savannah Road, Chaguanas, near a car dealership.

However there is a claim that Martins, formerly of Diego Martin, was unarmed and police simply shot and killed him while speaking to a businessman. Martins, police said, was wanted for a series of capital offences including murder. Police investigators said Martins had gone to the businessplace to collect tax (a form of payment businessmen make to criminals to forego being robbed and kidnapped).

However, Martins’ associates claimed he had gone there with over $20,000 to purchase a car.

Yesterday Abdullah said he contacted head of the Police Complaints Authority David West about the issue. In a media release yesterday, he said West is awaiting an official complaint tomorrow.

The Imam called for the immediate suspension of the police involved and added witnesses and video footage would be made available.

“From the information received, we are of the firm belief that officer (name called) and his men should be investigated for the homicide of Jelani Martins and the unaccounted $21,500 which he had on his person. (Name of businessman) was taken into custody.

A story, we understand, is now being concocted to say Jelani went to rob and shoot him.” Abdullah said Martins’ killing is not sitting well with Islamic Front.

“This act by the TTPS (TT Police Service) is going to tarnish and deliver a heavy blow to an already ugly image and will further degrade the public perception of the entire service.” He accused the police of showing its inability to act positively and appropriately to curb the exploding crime rate and the inherent social and economic challenges.

The TTPS seems to be evolving into a “plague with a purpose” to destroy the poor family structure which is the basic building block of society, Abdullah added.

After the shooting on Friday, Martins was taken to the Chaguanas Health Facility where he died.

But tension erupted with relatives and friends expressing anger over the killing. Members of the Defence Force and police had to be called in to quell the angry mob.

Up to yesterday the businessman was assisting police with the investigations.

Efforts to contact Williams yesterday proved futile as calls to his phone went unanswered yesterday