By Onome Oghenetega
The Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN) has reacted to the incident where some policemen were accused of allegedly shooting a youth in Ughelli, Delta State.
Keyamo said the victim who is now recuperating at an undisclosed hospital in the state, was not shot as claimed in the viral video.
He explained that the victim only sustained injury from the fall off the Police van, driven by officers of the Safe Delta outfit and not men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), as alleged.
In a series of tweets Sunday afternoon, the minister said that while the Police claim the young man hit his head after jumping from the moving vehicle to evade arrest, but the victim’s brother, identified simply as Ochuko, said insisted that he was pushed out.
“I just spoke with both the Commissioner of Police, Delta State and the Area Commander in Ughelli where the unfortunate incident involving a young man and the Police took place yesterday.
“I also spoke with Ochuko, the victim’s brother. I was born, bred and raised in that same town. All of them said the victim is alive and receiving treatment.
“Whilst I totally condemn the extra-judicial killings by SARS and other Police outfits against defenseless citizens and call for comprehensive reforms and overhaul of the system, some facts of this case are as follows:
“The outfit involved in this case is called Operation Delta Safe and not SARS.
“The victim was not shot as confirmed by his brother, but fell out of the Police vehicle when being taken to the station after arrest.
“The brother said he was pushed; the Police said he jumped.
“The Police stopped to pick him up after the fall, but an angry mob had already gathered and the Police fled and left the victim
“A Good Samaritan picked him & took him to hospital
“Finally, I wish to appeal to the youths in Ughelli not to resort to violence and/or destruction of lives and properties.
“I am on top of this matter and though the victim is alive, I will be urging the authorities to still investigate the conduct of the Police in this matter”
