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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The family of Benalayefa Bako Asiayei is demanding justice following his brutal murder by a policeman in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital. Asiayei, a 40-year-old resident of Yenagoa, was shot dead in his Sienna car after refusing to pay a N200 bribe.
According to eyewitnesses, the policeman, attached to the Bayelsa State Police outfit, Operation Doo Akpo, stopped Asiayei and demanded a bribe. When Asiayei refused, the policeman shot him dead.
“He said he did not have N200 as he was carrying just one person, suddenly the policeman cracked his gun and shot him,’’ an eyewitness said.
Chief Asiayei Zaiky, an in-law of the deceased, arrived at the scene and identified the body. He raised the alarm, and a mob gathered. Other policemen initially attempted to hand over the killer to the mob but then escaped in their van.
Eyewitnesses took a snapshot of the culprit before the police team escaped.
The corpse was taken to the Government House Yenagoa before being transported to the FMC Mortuary Yenagoa.
“We are calling on the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri, and the Inspector General of Police as a matter of urgency, to bring to book the policeman who shot Bena to death. We are also calling on the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC Worldwide to take necessary action against police brutality in Bayelsa state,” a family source said.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Muhammaed, confirmed the incident and stated that the police would issue a statement. He also disclosed that the killer policeman has been arrested and is in police custody.
