A mobile policeman has allegedly shot dead a 34-year-old man, Fred Igueriede, during a burial at Emede, in the Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.
It was gathered that the deceased, a father of two, was shot dead while trying to exchange pleasantries with his former employer, one Chief Johnny Aribogha.
The trigger-happy cop was said to be Aribogha’s security detail.
Two other people in the crowd were said to have sustained gunshot injuries as other policemen at the ceremony fired continuously in the confusion that trailed the incident.
A source said that the late Igueriede, who was invited to the burial by one Mr. Joe Akugbowe, was confirmed dead by doctors at the Olomoro General Hospital.
The family of the deceased also confirmed the killing during a press briefing on Monday in Warri.
They claimed that Aribogha, whose security detail shot their relative, was at large and could not be reached since the incident occurred.
The elder brother of the deceased, Mr. Governor Ogbon, accused Aribogha and Akugbowe of masterminding the murder of his brother.
Ogbon said, “The deceased was married with two kids. On August 19, 2017, he was invited for a burial at Emede town by one Mr. Joe Akugbowe, whose mother-in-law died.
“Incidentally, my brother worked for one Chief Johnny Aribogha, who was also invited for the burial by Akugbowe. Akugbowe is Chief Aribogha’s tenant.
“When my brother saw his former boss at the burial, he went in his direction to greet him.
“As he was approaching him, one of the riot policemen attached to the chief opened fire on my brother. My brother was hit in the stomach and he died on the spot.
“Two other persons, a man and a woman, were also shot. We suspect foul play in the way my brother was killed.
“Up till this moment, we have not heard from Chief Aribogha and his friend (Akugbowe), to know what actually killed my brother.”
Ogbon called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Delta State Commissioner of Police to go after all those culpable in the killing and ensure that they were arrested and prosecuted.
It was gathered that the policeman, who shot the victim, had been arrested and was undergoing investigation at the police headquarters in Asaba.
When contacted, Aribogha denied having a hand in the killing, saying his security detail had an accidental discharge which killed the victim.
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim, said three riot policemen from the 33 Squadron had been arrested for the “dastardly act.”
He noted that the cops were in detention, adding that investigations were ongoing.
