BENIN CITY— The traditional head of Uzaire kingdom His Royal Highness Imonike Omogbai has been quizzed by operatives of Edo Police Command over the killing of two nursing mothers, last weekend.
Recall that a trigger-happy policeman alleged to have accompanied HRH. Imonike Omogbai to a funeral in Ivhiokhile quarters in Fugar, the administrative headquarters of Etsako Central local government area of Edo State, reportedly killed two women in an “accidental discharge” at the noon event.
The Public Relations Officer for Edo State Police Command DSP Stephen Onwochei disclosed this while giving update on the unfortunate incident in his office, Benin City, yesterday.
“The traditional ruler has made useful information, you know that he did not play any role in the shooting other than he had security details to himself”. He stated.
The police spokesman was however not certain on whether the status of the embattled royal father falls among personalities in Nigeria granted by the constitution to enjoy such special police protection.
He did not also confirm whether the traditional ruler secured the approval to have police orderly from the Inspector-General of Police or not.
“In this case now I can’t confirm whether he had the approval of the Inspector-General of Police or not.
“But you need to understand the peculiar situation we have found ourselves in this country”. He noted.
The NIGERIAN OBSERVER effort to obtain comment from HRH. Imonike Omogbai has been unsuccessful.
DSP Onwochei also stated that the police officer who shot has been arrested.
He assured members of the public that the police would continue to train and retrain its personnel on arms handling.
DSP Onwochei advised all to be cautious about the presence of armed personnel.
It will be recalled that the double tragedy struck when one of the two policemen alleged to have accompanied the traditional ruler who was a special guest at the burial, started shooting sporadically into the air.
The NIGERIAN OBSERVER gathered further that the shooting came to a sad end when the cop held the riffle with one hand, with the other, opened the door for the traditional ruler to enter his car as they were leaving the funeral venue.
The bullet from the riffle strayed and killed the two nursing mothers inside a canopy they seated among other guests at the burial.
Samuel Adegbuyi, Edo State Police Commissioner
