TWO CIVILIANS HIT BY STRAY BULLETS AS POLICEMEN, SOLDIERS CLASH

The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed that two persons were hit by stray bullets allegedly shot indiscriminately by some men dressed in Military camouflage, during a clash with some policemen at the Edepie-Etegwe roundabout in Yenagoa, on Monday.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Bayelsa State, SP ASINIM BUTSWAT in a statement issued on Tuesday, identified the two victims as ARIWEI TARALAYEFA and OMONOPENO OTURU.

The statement said the victims were treated at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Yenagoa.

The PPRO disclosed that the military personnel also brutalized a member of the Bayelsa State Volunteers, whose identity was not disclosed

The statement explained that trouble started when the soldiers, who were dressed in mufti, took offence at being stopped by some Police officers for driving against traffic at the roundabout and advised them to turn and take the proper lane.

Parts of the statement read: “On 27 June 2022, at about 1800hours, Police officers on duty at the Etegwe Roundabout stopped a White Toyota Hilux without Registration number, which occupants were on mufti, for driving against traffic.

“The driver was advised to return back and follow the proper lane. The men angrily introduced themselves as Military Personnel and promised to come back and deal with the Police officers.

“Surprisingly, the men came back to the roundabout in military camouflage and started beating a member of the vigilante.

“The Police Officers tried to separate them but the men on Military camouflage started shooting indiscriminately and in the process, stray bullets hit two civilian passersby namely; one Ariweri Taralayefa f’ 29 years old and one Omonopeno Oturu m’ 38 years old. The victims have been treated and discharged from the Hospital.

“The military and Police authorities are investigating the incident for possible identification of the men involved”.