A middle-age man has suffered a cruel fate in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as he got crushed to death amid the
controversy surrounding a neighbour’s missing fowl. The man, Odoko Iwama was crushed dead by policemen drafted into a new security outfit established by the Bayelsa State Government to replace Operation Famuo Tangbei, accused of human rights abuses against Bayelsans.
The new outfit meant to rid the state of criminals is yet to be launched, only operating on a test-run. The tragic victim who was married with four children hailed from Okodi in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. According to investigations, the deceased, Mr Odoko Iwama was informed by his neighbour, simply identified, as Ifeanyi about his missing fowl.
The latter had pleaded that in case the former came across the fowl, he should alert him. Iwama known in the
neighbourhood for being playful had
jokingly asked another friend of his
called Bomber if he was not the one
that killed Ifeanyi’s fowl. Bomber,
however, took offence over the
statement, resulting in a scuffle
between him and Iwama. Neighbours
intervened and settled the quarrel. The deceased’s wife, Mrs Iwama who
lamented her husband’s death said it
was Bomber who later called in the
operatives of security outfit over the
matter.
Her words: “My husband in his usual
playful manner approached his friend
popularly known as Bomber and said
‘Bomber, Ifeanyi said his fowl is missing and I saw you killing one fowl today,are you sure that is not Ifeanyi’s fowl you have slaughtered? “The question offended Bomber and they engaged in a fight, which we were able to put under control. “Later in the evening,unaware that Bomber had called Operation Doo Akpo to arrest him, he went out to buy recharge card. On getting to the road Bomber started pointing at him to the police officers,who did not come out of their Hilux truck. Bomber shouted, ‘this is the man, this the man.’
Surprised that Bomber could call the
police, my husband who was trying to
avoid another attack from Bomber ran,and before we knew it, the police van in full speed hit him and he fell on the ground. He died on the spot.” Checks indicated his body had been deposited at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, while eyewitnesses had reported the matter at Ekeki Police Station, prompting the arrest of Bomber and the Hilux van.
The Iwama family and neighbours of
the deceased were, however, worried
that the Policemen who were in the
Hilux van had not been arrested. The
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO),
Mr Fidelis Odunna who confirmed the
incident said the Police were already
investigating the matter. Meanwhile,
the leadership of the Save Nigeria
Group (SNG) has condemned the
killing, describing it as unacceptable.
The SNG in a statement signed by
Puluovie Japheth said the death of Mr
Iwama was unfortunate and avoidable
error on the part of the police officers
who carried out that arrest mission.
LINK:
www.sunnewsonline.com/new/national/police-crush-man-dead-over-missing-fowl/