The accidental discharge from a policeman’s gun has resulted in the death of one person and the razing of a supermarket in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja. Normalcy as however returned after the violent clash. A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who visited the area on Saturday reports that residents were seen going about their businesses.
Some of the residents who spoke to NAN said the clash erupted at about 7pm on Friday around the Tipper Garage area of Kuje after an argument between two men.
Mr Bulus Ayuba, an eyewitness said the argument between the two men started when they came out from a supermarket in the area.
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He said the police officer attached to the supermarket stepped in to resolve the issue when the argument became tense.
Ayuba said all efforts made by the police officer yielded no result as the argument continued to attract crowds.
“When the crowd was much and the police officer became helpless, he attempted to shoot into the air to disperse the crowd.
“Unfortunately, somebody in the crowd touched the gun and that was how he missed it and shot someone on the head,” he said.
Mr Philip Adeyeye, another eyewitness said shortly after the victim was taken away, the entire area became rowdy, with youths protesting.
Adeyeye said a vehicle parked at the premises of the supermarket was razed down by the angry youths.
He said It took the intervention of military and additional deployment of police personnel to bring the situation under control.
When contacted, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the FCT, Mr Olatunji Disu, said the command was aware of the incident.
He said the police officer involved in the matter was already in the custody of the command, adding that investigation on the incident had commenced. (Adapted from a NAN report)
