Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
A tricycle spare parts dealer, Lucky Akoda and a police officer have been hit by stray bullet during a protest march by the youths against the raiding of their community by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
The incident happened in Ishior axis of Benin-Lagos road in Ovia North East Local Government Council Area of Edo State.
It was gathered that the irate youths suspected to be internet fraudsters popularly called “Yahoo Yahoo boys” allegedly attacked a police officer during the protest.
It was learnt that the protesters vandalised a security van conveying officers suspected to be vigilante group at the Isihor axis of the Ugbowo-Lagos road.
According to a source, the irate youths suspected to be internet fraudsters popularly called “Yahoo Yahoo boys” had embarked on a protest over alleged security agencies harassment and intimidation in their locality.
The source said that trouble started when some officers of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) officials raided the locality on monday night.
The protesters, mainly young boys, took to the streets on Tuesday and caused tension in the area, leading to police intervention and the shooting.
According to the source, the youths went violent and destroyed a vehicle belonging to the security agent.
According to an eye witness who preferred anonymity “A tricycle spare part dealer who opened for business on Tuesday morning was hit by a stray bullet when he was closing the shop and running to avoid the violence.
“The tricycle spare parts dealer and the police officer, who were victims of the violence were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for medical attention”.
However, wife of the tricycle spare parts dealer, Mrs. Benedicta Akoda, was informed that her husband was rushed to UBTH after a stray bullet hit him.
The source said when Benedicta, the victim’s wife, visited her husband at the hospital, the Police had chained/handcuffed her husband and victim of the protest to his sick bed, apparently holding him as a suspect following the protest.
“It was unfair for a man who was hit by a stray bullet to be chained to the hospital bed.
“The man was hit by a stray bullet was now being held on his hospital bed where he is receiving medical attention over a protest he had no knowledge about.
“His wife, Benedicta, has been pleading with the police and Nigerians to save her husband from dying.
“The man is a good Nigerian doing his legitimate business as a tricycle spare dealer in the locality.
He is not into internet fraud popularly called “Yahoo Yahoo boys” or involved in the protest by the youths.” The source said.