Trigger-happy Cop kills two nursing mothers at funeral in Edo

BENIN CITY— A trigger-happy policeman has gunned down two nursing mothers at a funeral in Ivhiokhile quarters in Fugar, the administrative headquarters of Etsako Central local government area of Edo State.
It was gathered that the police bullet narrowly missed a two-month-old baby strapped to the back of his mother before hitting the woman on her neck.
The NIGERIAN OBSERVER learnt that the woman identified as Sandra Imhaku lost her husband last year while expecting the baby as she alone cared for four children before her life was sniffed out by a trigger, last Saturday.
Sources disclosed that Sandra Imhaku was rushed to Irrua Specialist Hospital, Irrua where she died Sunday morning.
It was gathered further that the other woman Mrs. Saliu, an indigene of Fugar came from Warri, Delta State with her husband to attend the funeral of her in-law one late Mr. Itu Joseph.
She was said to have collapsed and died instantly following the shooting.
The double tragedy struck when one of two policemen alleged to have accompanied a traditional ruler from Uzaire clan HRH. Imonike Omogbai who was a guest at the burial, started shooting sporadically for God’s-known-reason.
The NIGERIAN OBSERVER gathered further that the shooting came to a tragic climax when the cop held the riffle with one hand, with the other hand, opened the door for the traditional ruler to enter his car as they were about leaving the funeral venue.
Sources, however, disclosed that the bullet from the riffle which properly was not professionally strayed and killed the two nursing mothers inside a canopy they were seated among other guests at the burial.
It was also gathered that the unfortunate incident triggered a pandemonium as angry youths descended on the policemen who eventually escaped.
Cousin of one of the deceased Barrister Mike Imhaku said the incident has thrown the family into mourning and confusion.
He disclosed that the killings have been reported at Auchi police division.
Contacted, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Mr. Samuel Adegbuyi confirmed the unfortunate incident.
He stated that a case of accidental discharge which claimed the lives of two women was reported to him on Saturday.
“The officer has been arrested and investigation has commenced”. COMPOL Adegbuyi stated.
The NIGERIAN OBSERVER recalled that a policeman similarly killed two boys at a commercial motorcyclists (Okada rider) park in Fugar town in 2003.
The incident led to a spontaneous mob action which led to the killing of the officer and the burning down of Fugar police station.