From Tony Osauzo, Benin
It was bedlam Wednesday evening by Igueomo Junction in Benin City, along the Benin/Asaba Road, when a stray bullet allegedly fired from a police gun hit and killed an Hausa resident in the area.
What followed the unexpected killing was total chaos, as motorists and people trekking on the highway struggled to escape the ensuing machetes and sticks-wielding kinsmen of the victim, who were on a hot chase of the policemen to avenge the death of their brother.
The yet-to-be-identified victim, was said to have been hit by a stray bullet in front of the house of a POS operator where he had gone to send ₦4000 to his wife in his home village.
It was gathered that police operatives had gone to the area to arrest some hoodlums, during the process stray bullet reportedly hit the victim.
“Some Benin boys had an issue with the police. Some policemen stormed the area and in the process of chasing the boys, they fired their guns at the fleeing boys and the bullet hit the victim and he died at the spot.
A witness told our Correspondent that,”the victim was said to have just transferred the sum of ₦4000 to the wife. When he heard of the commotion outside, it was said that he decided to run for cover, only to be hit by stray bullet.
“Being that the entire area is dominantly populated by Hausa indigenes, they came out in large numbers, blocked the road in protest. They even vandalized some police vehicles that passed the area this morning”.
The irate youths later erected barricades and set bonfires on the highway and ensured that no one had access to either side of the road.
This blockade left commuters stranded and passengers forced to disembark from buses arriving from both the Asaba and Benin City directions.
Edo Police Police Publlic Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the incident and said investigation is on to identify those involved in the operation.