Stray Bullet Hits Dispatcher During Protest in Delta

A stray bullet reportedly struck a dispatcher in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State.

The bullet is believed to have been fired during a protest near the police station in the Otovwodo area along the East-West road.

In a statement from his hospital bed, Kester described the incident: “I was on my way to Uwheru community to make a delivery and was waiting for either a motorcycle or tricycle when I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my left arm from what seemed like a projectile.”

The victim, identified as Kester Eloho Ben, in his 20s, was on his way to deliver a herbal drug to a client in Uwheru community when the shooting occurred.

The incident incited the protesters, who responded by burning tires and throwing sachet water at the police.

“I was about to board a bike when I felt something strange on my left hand and my phone fell of my hand, as I was about to pick up the phone I noticed that my hand was shaking.

“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 brought in.”

A protester who spoke to Vanguard said, “They were protesting this morning with placards towards the Otovwodo junction and the police bracket 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.

“While shooting tear gas, the police were being pelted with sachets of water by the protesters and as they 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.”

James Agbenu