Bayelsa CP reacts to shooting by suspected soldiers, appeals for calm

By Timipre Ndoni

The Commissioner of Police Bayelsa State Police Command has reacted to a discriminated shooting by suspected military men at Etegwe Roundabout of the state on Monday night.

In a statement signed by the command’s spokesman, SP Asinim Butswat in Yenagoa on Tuesday afternoon, the commissioner of police appealed for calm, stating that he had ordered a discreet investigation into the incident.

SP Butswat narrated in the statement titled: “INDISCRIMINATE SHOOTING BY MEN IN MILITARY CAMOUFLAGE said: “On 27th June 2022, at about 1800hours, Police officers on duty at the Etegwe Roundabout stopped a White Toyota Hilux without Registration number, whose occupants were on mufti, for driving against traffic and the driver was advised to return and follow the proper lane.”

He further added that the men in the white Toyota car angrily introduced themselves as military personnel and promised to come back and deal with the police officers.

According to the police, “Surprisingly, the men came back to the roundabout in military camouflage and started beating a member of the vigilante. The Police Officers tried to separate them, but the men in military camouflage started shooting indiscriminately and in the process, a stray bullet hit two civilian passersby namely; one Ariweri Taralayefa 29 years old and Omonopeno Oturu m’ 38 years old. The victims have been treated and discharged from the Hospital”

Butswat further said the Military and Police authorities were investigating the incident for possible identification of the men involved.