Two young men have tragically lost their lives when a bullet inadvertently discharged from a policeman’s firearm in Ekiti State.
The incident, according to witnesses, occurred around 10 pm on Tuesday in the Omisanjana Area of Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
Initial reports indicated that an accident occurred in the area, prompting some angry youths to attempt to assault the driver and set the vehicle ablaze.
Those within the area were said to have invited policemen to calm the situation, but the irate youths remained defiant upon the officers’ arrival.
In an attempt to disperse the crowd, an accidental discharge from one of the police officers’ weapons struck two of the youths.
Despite immediate efforts to rush them to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, the victims tragically succumbed to their injuries.
The bodies have been transferred to the mortuary.
Spokesperson for the Ekiti State Police Command, DSP Sunday Abutu, confirmed that a discreet investigation is underway.
“The Command, upon the receipt of the information, deployed the State Traffic Section to the scene to ensure there is no breakdown of law and order as well as ensuring the safety of the victims.
“On getting to the scene, the operatives met resistance as some irate youths disallowed them from performing their lawful duty and insisted on carrying out jungle justice. This necessitated a call for reinforcement to assist the officers on the ground. However, in the process, one of the officers accidentally fired a shot that fatally injured two persons.”
He added, “The officer responsible for the shooting has been disarmed, arrested, and detained and shall be made to face disciplinary action immediately.”
Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, CP Akinwale Kunle Adeniran, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and assured them that justice would be served as investigations proceed.
