Police Stray Bullet Hits Dispatcher During Protest In Ughelli

A dispatcher in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, on Friday, was allegedly shot during a protest around the police station in the Otovwodo axis of the East-West road.

The victim, identified as Kester Eloho Ben, in his 20s, was said to be heading Uwheru community to deliver a herbal drug to his company client when the unfortunate incident occurred.

The shooting triggered the protesters, to burn tyres and pelt sachet water at the police.

Speaking to newsmen at his hospital bed, Kester said, “I was on my way to Uwheru community to deliver an item and while I was waiting for either motorcycle or tricycle when I suddenly felt a strange object in my left arm.

“I was about to board a bike when I felt something strange on my left hand and my phone fell of my hand, as I was about to pick up the phone I noticed that my hand was shaking.

“It was a stray bullet from the police that hit me and it was an Okada man that rushed me to the hospital when the police never showed concern.

“I was not among the protesters, I was only going to deliver an item to a customer when I was shot and the medical team attended to me immediately I was brought in.”

A protester who spoke to Vanguard said, “They were protesting this morning with placards towards the Otovwodo junction and the police bracket them from coming towards the junction.

“They were not carrying anything dangerous except for the placards in their hands when the police double cross them and started shooting tear gas.

“While shooting tear gas, the police were being pelted with sachets of water by the protesters and as they were driving away, they opened fire on the protesters and one person was hit on his chest.

“Their sister security agents helped to rush the injured protester to one of the hospitals probably for the hospital to accept him since it was a bullet injury.”