Two young men were mistakenly killed by a bullet from a policeman’s gun in Ekiti State on Tuesday night.
The tragic incident occurred around 10 pm in the Omisanjana area of Ado Ekiti.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident followed an accident in the area, which led to a group of irate youths attempting to mob the driver involved and set his vehicle ablaze.
Police were called to calm the situation, but the youths resisted when the officers arrived.
In an attempt to disperse the crowd, an accidental discharge from one of the officer’s guns struck two of the youths.
Despite being rushed to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, both victims succumbed to their injuries.
Their bodies have been deposited in the morgue.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Ekiti State Police Command, DSP Sunday Abutu, confirmed the incident and stated that a thorough investigation had commenced.
Abutu said, “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.”
He added, “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.”
Abutu further disclosed that the officer responsible for the accidental discharge has been disarmed, arrested, and detained.
“The officer shall be made to face disciplinary action immediately,” he assured.
The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, CP Akinwale Kunle Adeniran, has expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and assured them of a discreet investigation. “Justice shall prevail,” he promised.
