Controversy Trails Killing Of Middle-aged Man By Police In Delta

The deceased, Fred Igueriede

Controversy have continued to trail the killing of a middle-aged man, Fred Igueriede by an overzealous mobile police officer attached to a Warri-based business man, one Chief Johnny Aribogha.

The incident happened at a burial ceremony held over the weekend in Emede, Isoko South council area of Delta state.

While the police says the trigger-happy police officer have been arrested over the killing, the family of the deceased said the policeman who pull the trigger which led to the death was allegedly being protected.

It was learnt that the police officer who was reportedly shooting sporadically into the air ostensibly to impress the said Aribogha who took him to the funeral ceremony, also shot two other persons at the ceremony.

Giving a graphic detail of the incident while addressing newsmen in Warri on Monday, the family of the deceased, Mr. Governor Ogbon and Mrs. Ese Ayeh, alleged foul play in the events surrounding their brother’s death, as they were yet to hear from all those connected to the tragic incident.

Ogbon, an elder brother of the deceased, explained that their late brother had been invited to the burial ceremony of the mother in-law of one Joe Akugbowe, a tenant of the said Aribogha, when the unfortunate incident happened.

He recalled that the late brother had been a domestic driver to Chief Aribogha, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Jonesco Nigeria Limited, until January this year when he resigned due to “hate speeches” from the wife.

According to him, although they had parted in good terms, he later gathered that the former employer, Aribogha, was owing late Fred some months salary and money from a property sold some time ago, adding that this may have caused hard feelings between them.

Continuing, Ogbon said, on reaching the Oleh police station, the Divisional Police Officer told them the victim died from an accidental discharge and the body had been taken to the General Hospital, Olomoro.

However, Mrs Ayeh, who happened to be at the event said some policemen had shot sporadically in the arena.

Calling on the federal government and relevant security authorities to bring all those connected to their brother’s death to book, Ogbon said, “I am saying that they masterminded the killing of my brother because Chief Johnny Aribogha, his son Kingsley Aribogha, who is very close to my younger brother and the man that invited my brother for the burial, Joe Akugbowe, are at large”.

The deceased, from Kokori in Ethiope East council area of the state, is said to have been married with two children.

When contacted, Chief Aribogha confirmed the incident, stating that the mobile policeman involved in the shooting had been arrested.

Reacting to the development in a message, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Zanna Ibrahim also confirmed the incident.

Ibrahim said “It’s really sad. Three Mopol men from 33 Squadron Ado Ekiti have been arrested for the dastardly act and presently in detention, outcome of which will be divulged.”

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