The burial reception in honor of a 111-year-old woman (name withheld) Boboroku community of Jesse in Ethiope West local government area of Delta State turned awry weekend as a plain clothed policeman reportedly slumped and died during a clash between the community youths and a team of soldiers drafted from the 19 Battalion, Koko to maintain peace.
It was gathered that there was rowdiness during the sharing of food and drinks for guests at the party and in the process some of the youths allegedly made attempts to disarm two soldiers who had tried to restore orderliness.
One person was reportedly shot on the leg as others sustained various degrees of injuries in the melee that ensued while the windscreen and windows of at least five cars including one hilux belonging to the soldiers was also destroyed by the youths who went berserk over the incident.
Community sources stated that the late policeman simply identified as Imomoh, who resided in the community, was said to have tried to intervene during a rowdy session between the soldiers and the youths.
Giving details of the incident, a guest at the reception said: “The soldiers were called in to restore calm after the youths in the community tried to hijack food meant for guests at the reception.”
The guest, who gave his name as Paul Amodu, said: “Vexed by the presence of the soldiers, the youths turned their anger on them leading to fisticuffs amidst gunshots by the soldiers aimed at dispelling the youths during which Imomoh was said to have been hit by one of the soldiers’ bullets after which he slumped and died.”
Also speaking, a security source at the Sapele Area Command, said: “The death of the policeman whom is a resident of the community, enraged the youths who went wild, attacking guest and destroying vehicles at the ceremony.
“The soldiers had to apply minimum force in trying to defend themselves by shooting into the air to scare the rampaging youths, who were trying to disarm them leading to the shooting of one person on the leg.”
Confirming the clash, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, described the incident as “quite unfortunate.”
