A police officer in Delta state allegedly killed a yet-to-be-identified young man celebrating his 29th birthday with his friends and relatives in the Obinomba community, Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state on Friday, September 24.
According to reports, a team of police officers attached to Obiaruku divisional headquarters had stormed the venue apparently in search of fleeing cultists who earlier murdered a youth in Obiaruku. On sighting the security agents, the celebrant stepped out to explain to them that it was his party and that those with him were his wellwishers.
An eyewitness said “It was like the police came to raid the bar where he was having his birthday. The boy came out to tell the police that he was having his birthday, that they were not fighting, and that the people were there to celebrate him. But one of the officers ran back and cocked his gun trying to harass the boy. The deceased attempted to run. But the officer aimed at his leg.”
The celebrant was said to have fainted immediately and was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead on arrival.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Bright Edafe, said the officer who shot at the deceased acted in self-defence.
He said “It was done in self-defence and I am going to explain what I mean by that. At a few minutes past 9 pm on Friday, the Divisional Police Officer of Obiaruku Division got information that there was a cult clash in Obinomba Village, Ukwani LGA and that boys from a rival cult group had shot a man dead. They (the police) went there and saw the man in a pool of blood and carried him in their van. On their way to the hospital, they saw some boys, numbering about 50 who gathered outside. One of the inspectors alighted and asked them what the problem was. The boys, in their usual manner, accosted the police inspector who was bearing an AK-47 rifle and they gagged him, trying to dispossess him of his arms. The men who were with him fired and one of the bullets got to a young man in his laps and others fled. The police took both the man who was shot during a cult clash and the injured man to a hospital, but unfortunately, both of them were confirmed dead by the doctors on duty.”