BENIN CITY-A dramatic clash between policemen and mourners in procession of vehicles escorting a corpse to funeral venue, has left one shot dead in Benin City.
The victim, identified as Osakpamwan Agbons was shot dead when his alleged gun-wielding mourner’s convoy encountered a team of policemen on TV road, Oliha quarters, Benin City, last Friday.
It was gathered that Agbons was killed by 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 hoarse 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 car which is now in police custody.
One Osama Maldona was arrested and now helping in investigation.
It was further gathered that the corpse of the victim has been deposited in a mortuary by the police.
The alleged gunshots were said to have drew 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 Johnson Kokumo warned against illegal possession and open display of prohibited firearms.
“They did not only openly brandished 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”. CP Kokumo stated.
He however called on members of the public to turn in their illegally acquired firearms to avoid arrest and prosecution.
