The Delta Police Command today confirmed the killing of one of its men, Corporal Etaga Stanley, in Ughelli by suspected hoodlums during an #ENDSARS street protest.
The protest calling for the scraping of the Special Anti-Roberry Squad (SARS) had turned violent on Thursday, with the police accusing internet fraudsters, also known as Yahoo Boys, of sponsoring and the demonstrations, which are holding in as eralnoarts of the country.
In a statement issued by Delta Police spokesperson, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, the police recalled that on that Thursday, several patrol teams were deployed to Otovwodo junction in Ughelli to prevent breakdown of law and order and allow free movement of law-abiding citizens and traffic.
“At about 1530hrs, Police Patrol team came under attack by these Hoodlums. Consequently, one Corporal Etaga Stanley attached to ‘A’ division Ughelli was attacked and killed and his service Rifle AK 47 with 25 rounds of ammunition stolen.
“In a similar circumstance, Police Sergeant Patrick Okuone attached to Eagle-net squad was shot and injured and Police Patrol vehicles equally damaged as a result of gunshot targeted at the Police men by the Protesters.
“The Police team responded and arrested nine (9) Suspects, impounded seven (7) vehicles and six (6) mobile Phones belonging to the Criminal elements were recovered from the scene. The injured Officer is now on admission in hospital, while reinforcements sent to deal with the situation”, the statement explained.
It said that the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa, who described the incident as provocative, cruel and unwarranted, warned that the Command would no longer tolerate any attack on its personnel by any individual or group protesting under any guise.
While admitting that protest by citizens remains a legitimate means for airing their concerns and views, it must however be carried out with all sense of responsibility and within the ambit of the law, the statement added.
