Tension as stray bullets hit five in Ekiti

From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti

There was tension in some parts of Ado-Ekiti, capital of Ekiti State, as five persons were reportedly injured after they were hit by bullets from the gun of an officer of the Ekiti State Agro Marshals in the state.

The incident, it was gathered happened on Friday evening while there was a mild traffic congestion on the Ekute road due to a ceremony in the area.

According to an eyewitness, “there was a mild traffic congestion on the Ekute road due to an event taking place in the area.

“The Agro Marshals vehicle conveying some officers was also caught in the traffic.

“One of the officers jumped down from the vehicle to clear the road for their vehicle and in the process he started shooting to the air and some of the bullets hit the victims, among whom were his colleagues.”

However, two of the officers hit by the bullets and receiving treatment at the Police Clinic in Ado Ekiti, told newsmen that it was an accidental discharge.

Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Akinwale Adeniran said, “ They (Marshals) were passing through Atikankan. I think one of them was armed with locally made single barrel guns, maybe the hand touched the trigger, in the process, the gun fired and injured some people moving on the road and at the same time injured some of them in the vehicle they were moving with.

“The victims are already stable, we are taking care of them. He (the person responsible) is in custody. He he has been detained.”