Hunters kill vigilance man, injure two others

Government, Kogi State, mistakenly shot and killed one vigilance man identified as  Abayomi Sunday.

They also injured two other vigilance men identified as Bamidele Olayemi and Dele Asebiobirin in the incident that occurred on Monday.

The hunters said they had mistaken the dead and injured vigilance men for robbers.

A witness who pleaded anonymity told PUNCH Metro that they got information that highway robbers were operating freely along Egbe-Pategi Road. He added that the robbers were dispossessing travelers of their valuables. He said, "The local vigilance officials in  Okoloke  apparently feeling overwhelmed, made distress calls   to the local council for reinforcement.

"Consequently, 12 new vigilance men, reported to the police division at Odo-Ere before embarking on the rescue mission."

The  Media Assistant to Kogi State Governor on Research and Documentation, Mr. Ralph Agbana, told our correspondent that  the vigilance men,  on arrival at the scene,  split into two groups of six.

Agbana said the hunters mistakenly fired and killed one vigilance man and injured two others.

"Those hunters who misfired are not registered community/LGA vigilantes," Agbana said.

 Sunday was said to have died instantly from bullets that hit him on the head while his other colleagues,  Olayemi and Asebiobirin, survived but with bullet wounds on their legs and thighs.

The injured victims were said to be responding to treatment at ECWA Hospital.

 The Vice Chairman of the Council,   Omoniyi Adeyemi confirmed the incident.

He said five of the hunters, who allegedly opened fire on the vigilance officials,  had been arrested and were being detained at the Divisional Police Office, Odo-Ere.

He added that the sixth suspect was still at large.

Source: Punch