There was confusion among residents of the densely populated Direct Labour Agency (DLA) area of Asaba, Delta State capital where a middle-aged man was allegedly shot dead by police officers.
It was learnt that the police officers who had given the vehicle with five occupants including the deceased, a hot chase on suspicion of being criminals.
Eyewitnesses said the officers aimed at the tyre of the vehicle to demobilise it, adding however that the punctured tyre forced the vehicle to veer off the road.
According to the sources, the vehicle rammed into a fence, with the bricks collapsing on its bonnet and windscreen.
It was further learnt that as the vehicle screeched to a halt, three of the occupants came out and took to their heels, while the other two came out to surrender to the police.
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However, the police were said to have allegedly shot one of them at close range before arresting the second one.
Sources added that the deceased was not armed when he was allegedly gunned down, adding that nothing was found on him when his lifeless body was searched.
But acting Public Relations Officer of Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe said the occupants of the vehicle were suspects who had just operated in another part of the town.
“We had an intelligent report that they had just finished operation and were moving towards DLA road.
“So, our men mounted surveillance, and when the officers saw the car, they flagged it down but they refused to stop.
“As such, our men chased them to the point where their vehicle hit the fence. They opened fire on the officers who responded, and in the process, three of them escaped while one was shot.
“One suspect was arrested while a locally made gun was recovered,” Edafe said.
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Regardless, a human rights activist, Mr. Victor Ojei of Young Nigerian Rights Organization, described the incident as another case of extra-judicial killing, and called for proper investigation.
“This action must be investigated; this is an extra judicial killing of a very young boy who has a bright future.
“We have the Administration of Criminal Justice Act protects the criminals or the accused.
“We as Nigeria citizens have a right to life, nobody has the right to take anybody’s life. These policemen need to be investigated,” Ojei fumed.
Daily Sun
