Operatives of Edo state police command Thursday urged bereaved family members of one Paul (now deceased), farmers and residents of Ofutebe community.
The police in a press statement issued by its spokesman DSP Chidi Nwabuzor said the unnamed herder reportedly had “misunderstanding with a certain man”.
Nwabuzor said, “In the cause of trying to settle them, one Mr. Paul came as a mediator and spoke in Hausa language to the herder having the confidence that he understands Hausa language. Suddenly, the herder shot and killed him (Paul) with AK 47 riffle.”
He stated that the Divisional Police Officer, Ekiadolor Division thereafter detailed Police operatives led by ASP Okodomi with eleven men from the Vigilante group and the village hunters to the community for the arrest of the suspect and recovery of the gun.
According to him, “Unfortunately, while the team of policemen were on board in a boat to cross over Ofe River heading to Ofutebe community near Owan in Ovia North East council, some suspected herdsmen with AK 47 riffles ambushed and fired sporadically at them.
“In the process, ASP Monday Ogeide and the complainant were shot on their hands, while Inspector Ogundele Sunday was not seen immediately after the attack.
“Consequently, the command receiving the report of the incident mobilized a back-up team who rescued ASP Monday ogeide and the complainant one Joshua Igbashiro with the whereabouts of Inspector Ogundele Sunday still unknown.
The police spokesman further disclosed that Inspector Ogundele Sunday was rescued alive on the 28th January 2020 inside a boat at Ofe river by a search party led by CSP Abdullahi Wase, the DPO Ekiadolor in collaboration with the Vigilant group.
He also quoted the state commissioner of police as saying that the command under his leadership will arrest those that carried out the dastardly act and charge them to court accordingly.
