#ENDBADGOVERNANCE PROTEST: Police stray bullet hits dispatcher in Ughelli

The peaceful protest embarked upon by protesters in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, took another twist on the second day as Policemen stationed at the Otovwodo axis of the EastWest Road allegedly shot and injured a dispatcher in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The Police' bullet victim identified as Kester Eloho Ben who was said to be 20 years old was, said to be heading towards Uwheru Community to deliver herbal drug to his company's  client when the unfortunate incident occurred.

This unfortunate incident angered  the protesters and they took to burning of tyres and pelting sachet water to the Police.

Speaking to newsmen at his hospital bed, Mr Kester said: "I was on my way to Uwheru Community to deliver an item to my company's client. While I was waiting for either motorcycle or tricycle to take me down, l felt something strange on my left hand and my phone fell of my hand. And as I was about picking the phone, l noticed that my hand was shaking.

"It was then l realized that 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 bought in."

An anonymous protester who spoke to PEBNEW  alleged: "They were protesting this morning with placards towards the Otovwodo Junction and the Police prevented  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."

"As the Police were shooting tear gas, the protesters started to pelt the Police with sachets of water. As the Police 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".

A human right activist who identified himself as Comrade Silver said: "This morning we were here and it was very peaceful and we pleaded with the protesters to calm down.

"We made them to understand that today being Otovwodo Market day, some hoodlums might use the opportunity of their protest to loot items of the marketers.

"We told them (protesters) to go towards Agbarha Junction to start their protest and they obeyed. While l seated at market place, I saw  Police van chasing a formatic car, they blocked the car and threw tear gas inside the vehicle.

"As the Police were about taking the boy (in a formatic car) away, I pleaded with the Police and the boy was released to me. As the boy was  about leaving, another Police vehicle came and insisted that the boy must be arrested.

"It was at that moment, the market women began to pelt them with water and stones and the Police started shooting tear gas and live bullets and it was that process, they took the boy to the Police station.

"When the DPO came, I approached him and we both went to the station and the boy was released and peace returned.

"I learned they shot a person, though I did not see him, but I was told that the Army rushed him to the hospital, l don't know the name of the hospital they took him to but all I know is that, there were gunshots", he concluded.