Trigger-happy policemen invade funeral ceremony, kill mourner in cold blood

A policeman attached to the Eket division in Akwa Ibom State, Awana Jacob, has been accused of killing a youth, Emmanuel Dickson.

It was  gathered that the victim was shot in the head by the policeman and he died on the spot.

Our correspondent learnt that the deceased, a resident of Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, was shot while trying to jump over a fence in the melee that followed police invasion of a house where people were mourning the death of a resident.

A witness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident happened on Sunday, October 10, 2021, around 5.05pm on Edoho Ukpong Street, Idua village.

The Chairman of Ukwa Village Council, Samuel Etukudoh, who confirmed the incident in an interview with our correspondent on Thursday, called for justice for the deceased, whom he said was his brother-in-law.

He said, “It was about 8am when my wife called to notify me of the incident. My wife is the sister to the deceased.

“I was informed that my brother-in-law came back from the opening of a mourning house, just to tidy himself and go back again. Eventually, the police bashed into the compound.

“They have a cultural group called Nkotriko. The police just bashed in and they started running. This boy in question jumped the fence just to escape and the police shot him dead. Then he (policeman) tried to tell us that it was an accidental discharge.”

Etukudoh said he informed the Divisional Police Officer in the area and the state Commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme.

Also, the elder sister of the deceased, Nelly Dickson, expressed shock over the incident, adding that she had yet to see her brother’s corpse as of the time she was speaking to our correspondent.

“They told me that my brother went to a mourning house and some people were telling them to rush that some policemen were shooting. As I am speaking to you, I have not seen my brother’s corpse.

“It was on Monday that the DPO called us. As I am speaking to you, I have not seen my brother’s corpse,” she added.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, said the information he had about the incident was still sketchy, adding that until he had a full grasp of the situation, he would not be able to react.

(Courtesy The PUNCH: Excluding headline)