A suspected hoodlum on Sunday died from gunshot he sustained during a brawl with policemen in Ukana Ikot Ntuen, Essien Udim local government area of Akwa Ibom State.
The hoodlum in company of another went to the residence of Emem Akpabio for entertainment after the latter had held Harvest Thanksgiving Service at Methodist Church Nigeria, Ukana Ikot Ntuen in the area.
An anonymous source confided in Straightnews that “As security operatives attached to Emem were checking and ushering guests into the compound of Emem, one Monday from Ikpe Annang in Essien Udim bolted from the crowd to urinate in the open space.”
The source further said when the securitymen complained of the untoward behaviour, the deceased took offence and became angry.
According to the source, the hoodlum who at the gate about to be cleared to enter the compound of Emem started raining abuses on the Inspector of Police attached to Akpabio with threats to deal with him.
“Not done, the suspected hoodlum struggled to collect the riffle from the policeman. In anger, another policeman fired him on both knees,” the source confided in Straightnews.
The source said one of the brothers of Emem drove the man to an undisclosed hospital in Uyo where he died shortly on arrival.
However, it is not known why some hoodlums visited the compound of Emem to forment trouble after the harvest in the church.
DSP Odiko MaCdon, Akwa Ibom Police and Public Relations Officer in a telephone interview with Straightnews, said “After the thanksgiving harvest, Emem Akpabio went home to entertain his guests. During stop-and-check operation, two hoodlums harassed the security operatives attached to Emem Akpabio.
“One of them attacked the inspector attached to Emem such that the Sergeant was angry. Not done, the hoodlum struggled to collect service riffle from the policeman. In performance of his duty, the police fired him on the knees. He was taken to an undisclosed hospital where he died.
“There was no political colouration to the killing. It was a case of stopping criminal intention,” the PPRO said.
