A 34-year-old father of two identified as Fred Igueriede, was reportedly shot dead by a mobile policeman while trying to exchange pleasantries with his former employer named Chief Johnny Aribogha, in the Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Apart from the deceased, two other people in the crowd were said to have sustained gunshot injuries as other policemen at the ceremony fired continuously in the confusion that trailed the incident. While speaking to a correspondent, a source said that the late Igueriede, who was invited to the burial by one Joe Akugbowe, was confirmed dead by doctors at the Olomoro General Hospital.
The family of the deceased also confirmed the killing during a press briefing on Monday in Warri. The family revealed Aribogha, whose security detail shot their relative, was at large and could not be reached since the incident occurred.
The elder brother of the deceased, Governor Ogbon, accused Aribogha and Akugbowe of masterminding the murder of his brother. He said, “The deceased was married with two kids. On August 19, 2017, he was invited for a burial at Emede town by one Mr. Joe Akugbowe, whose mother-in-law died.
“Incidentally, my brother worked for one Chief Johnny Aribogha, who was also invited for the burial by Akugbowe. Akugbowe is Chief Aribogha’s tenant. When my brother saw his former boss at the burial, he went in his direction to greet him. “As he was approaching him, one of the riot policemen attached to the chief opened fire on my brother. My brother was hit in the stomach and he died on the spot. Two other persons, a man and a woman, were also shot. We suspect foul play in the way my brother was killed. “Up till this moment, we have not heard from Chief Aribogha and his friend (Akugbowe), to know what actually killed my brother.”
Ogbon called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Delta State Commissioner of Police to go after all those culpable in the killing and ensure that they were arrested and prosecuted. The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Zanna Ibrahim, said three riot policemen from the 33 Squadron had been arrested for the “dastardly act,” adding that the cops were in detention, adding that investigations were ongoing.
