One youth was yesterday shot dead and several others wounded when mobile Policemen attached to the Police Anti-terrorist Squad opened fire on a funeral procession at Umuokoto, Umudibia Nekede Autonomous Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
The yet-to-be identified victim was taking part with over 30 other youths in the funeral procession when he was hit by a stray bullet.
The shooting of the people who were mostly youths, which occurred at about 9am on Friday, was described by eye- witnesses as “senseless and unwarranted killing.”
It was gathered that the youths who were coming back from the mortuary where they had gone to collect a corpse for burial, were just few kilometres to their destination when the trigger happy policemen met them.
According to an eyewitness account, “as the police were maneuvering to pass the procession, an argument ensued between them and the youths and in the process, one of the policemen, who appeared to be drunk, shot at the procession without warning, killing one person and injuring others before speeding off.
“When the youths regrouped and marched in protest to the anti-terrorist police station at Umuoma, a neighbouring community, the policemen started shooting sporadically at the youths injuring many of them.”
The source, who pleaded for anonymity, stated further that, “the youths came for the funeral, they were unarmed; they had not done anything to provoke the police before they were shot like common criminals.”
Narrating his ordeal at his hospital bed, one of the victims, identified as Okey Ekeocha, explained that the bullet hit the tarred road and bounced back hitting him in the arm and head.
He said, “as the argument was going on one of the policemen jumped out from the vehicle and opened fire, one of the bullets hit one of us and he fell down and hit his head on the road, while another bullet hit the tarred road and bounced back and hit me in the arm and head.
“Bullets were extracted from my right arm and head. The doctor advised that I undergo another X-ray to ensure there is no other bullet lodging in my body,” he said.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Andrew Enwerem said “what I know is that the youth blocked the way not allowing the anti-terrorist police to pass, quarrel ensued that led to two people being hospitalised.”
He said that normalcy was however restored when reinforcement was moved to the place. “But we are investigating to know the remote cause of the incident but I am not aware of any casualty.”
by Greenstarnetwork admin..
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