Posted by Vanguard on
AKURE - FOUR persons including a pregnant woman were shot dead by a trigger-happy policeman attached to guard a commercial bank in Akure the Ondo State capital yesterday thereby creating tension and anxiety.
For hours pandemonium reigned supreme in the state capital as taxi drivers and motor cyclists (Okada) ridders protested following which residents fled to different directions for fear of the unknown.
Vanguard learnt that apart from the pregnant woman, a taxi driver and two other persons were shot in the pandemonium. Eye-witness account said that the policeman who was attached to guard a commercial bank was reportedly drunk before shooting the deceased. It was gathered that a taxi driver stopped in front of the commercial bank to pick a passenger and while the drunken policeman reportedly stormed out of nearby beer parlour to challenge the driver his rifle reportedly fell down and discharged bullets, killing the taxi driver instantly.
Another source however said that after the taxi driver was reportedly shot, some passersby attempted to mob the killer-policeman and in the process he shot sporadically into the crowd which caused the death of others.
Vanguard learnt that the pregnant woman was said to have been coming from a saloon when a stray bullet reportedly hit her following which she reportedly died on the way to the hospital.
Another eye witness reported that the mob eventually wrestled the rifle from him and reportedly beat him to a state of coma. Reports of the incident spread round the town following which the bank hurriedly closed for fear of vandalisation by the irate mob that gathered in front of the bank threatening to burn it down. Taxi drivers in the state capital immediately mobilised themselves and blocked all the major roads in the state capital chanting war songs and driving recklessly round the town. Okada riders joined the protest in solidarity as commercial activities in the state were paralysed.
Market women and shop owners also horridly closed their shops. Police reacted swiftly to the development as mobile policemen were deployed to the major streets to pre-empt break down of law and order. Contacted, the police image maker, Mr. Taofeek Mustapha confirmed the incident and said that the matter was still being investigated.