Warri – Two people reportedly lost their lives while one person sustained severe gunshots injuries on Tuesday at Ugbolokposo , Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State after a police escort attached to a VIP in the locality, opened fire on them.
It was alleged that the deceased were passengers of a tricycle and the injured was the rider.
Details of the tragedy are still sketchy just as it could not be ascertained the exact time the incident occurred, but unconfirmed sources said it occurred Tuesday evening. The tricycle that conveyed the victims was seen with blood at the scene of the incident.
A witness, however, said that the tricycle rider was trying to overtake the VIP convoy when the armed escort of policemen opened fire on the occupants.
In the process, two persons were shot dead while the keke (tricycle) rider sustained gunshots injuries.
It was gathered that one of the deceased was a ticket collector at Ugbolokposu Junction identified as Apepe and the other a meat vendor at Effurun Market simply indentified as Charlie.
Following the incident, angry youths and keke riders in show of solidarity stormed the Ebrumede Police Station Tuesday night and threatened to set it on fire.
Sources told NIGERIAN OBSERVER that there was a crossfire between the police and youths before things were put under control.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident, but said he wasn’t armed with the entire report.
“I can’t confirm the entire report. However, yes, we got the report that a yet-to-be identified convoy around the community had argument with the keke, and one of the security operatives shot at the keke killing two persons.
“Investigation is on to unravel the identity of the people who did this dastardly act,” he said.
