By Onome Oghenetega
There was pandemonium at the Bonsaac area of Asaba, the Delta State capital when an irate policeman reportedly shot a female colleague during a protest by some traders in the area.
The cop attached to the ‘B’ Division of the Delta State Police Command was allegedly dispersing traders when he fired a gun shot, killing her colleague on the spot.
The incident occurred last Friday leading to panic among residents and traders in the area.
Shop owners, commuters and residents fled for safety during the incident as efforts to revived the victim by her colleagues failed.
It was gathered that the ‘killer’ cop and four other colleagues were drafted from the ‘B’ Division to quell the protest against a self-imposed chairman of petty traders which majority of the traders were against.
An eyewitness who declined to give his name said the protest went wrong when one of the cops went berserk and opened fire, with the bullet accidentally hitting his female colleague who died immediately.
The source added, “The unfortunate death of the female cop, police operatives later came to sweep the area and indiscriminately arrest some of the traders.
” Over eleven traders were arrested while several others fled the area to avoid the wrath of the operatives.
” Some of them are still being detained at the State Police Command’s headquarters in Asaba. The killer policeman was arrested by his colleagues.”
Investigation further revealed however that three of the arrested petty traders have been released as at the time of filing this report on Monday.
The State Police Commissioner, Mr. Adeyinka Adeleke, confirmed the death of the officer on Monday when contacted.
He said 15 suspects were currently being detained at the State Police Command while investigation was still ongoing.
