One Dead as Police, Mourners Clash in Edo

A dramatic clash between policemen and mourners in funeral procession, has left one dead and the corpse arrested in Benin City, capital of Edo State.

According to THISDAY investigation, the victim of the clash, one Osakpamwan Agbons, was shot dead when the alleged gun-wielding mourners in a motorcade, encountered a team of policemen on TV road, Oliha quarters, Benin City, last Friday.

It was further learnt that Agbons was killed by a police officer who fired back, after he allegedly shot at a team of policemen, who tried to disarm him and two others now at large.

They were alleged to have been shooting into the air as they drove behind the long convoy conveying the corpse from a mortuary to a funeral ground in Useh quarters, Benin City.

A cut-to-size English double barrel was allegedly recovered from him after other gun-wielding mourners and undertakers abandoned their cars, which are now in police custody, with one Osama Maldona, arrested and now helping in investigation.

Consequently, the victim's corpse has been deposited in a mortuary by the police.

The alleged gunshots were said to have drawn the attention of the policemen, who coincidentally operated in a private car along TV road that Friday morning.

Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Babatunde Kokumo, warned against illegal possession and open display of prohibited firearms.

He said: “They did not only openly brandish prohibited firearms, they also shot at policemen who were on patrol.The policemen fired back at one.

“I think this is one of the instances a policeman is justified to use his firearm. It should be seen as an act of self defence."

He however called on members of the public to turn in their illegally acquired firearms to avoid arrest and prosecution.