From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Suspected mentally insane man identified as Paul Durowaiye was on Saturday morning shot dead by a Police Officer attached to the Kabba Area Command of the Nigerian Police.
According to our correspondent, the death of Paul made the angry youths to embark on protests and setting ablaze of the old Police Barracks.
Contrary to an eyewitness account who pleaded anonymity, that Paul was shot dead as a result of argument with the Police on price of Sachet Water, it was reliably gathered that the mentally ill young man allegedly smatched the Windscreen of Patrol Vehicle of the Police with a pestle when the team parked at Odo-Affin to buy sachet Water after Patrol.
The Chairman of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, Mr. Moses Olorunleke while confirming the incident explained that the remains of Paul Durowaiye has been deposited in the Mortuary, promising to get to the root of the matter.
Mr. Olorunleke stated that Security Personnel were quickly mobilized to avoid further breakdown of law and order as well as hijacking of the protests by miscreants to loot businesses owners.
He advised parents to warn their wards against taking laws into their hands, pointing out that anyone caught causing trouble will face the wrath of the law.
It was gathered the protesters barricaded the police station in Kabba, chanting war songs while the operatives made efforts to disperse them with tear gas.
Trouble was said to have started when the said man allegedly took a sachet of pure water belonging to the policeman from his car to drink, apparently to the disapproval of the policeman.
According to reports, a preliminary report from the Area Commander of Police in the area indicated that the policeman was trying to defend himself when the tragedy occurred.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Williams Aya who also confirmed the incident said that the attacker went ahead to attack the Police Officer.
He noted that the Police riffle fell immediately and the Attacker hit him again on the hand while trying to pick his gun, saying he was shot while his colleagues tried to rescue the officer.
According to him, the Kabba Area Command of the Police was not burnt down by the irate youths as speculated in some quarters as investigations into the matter has commenced.
Aya added that the Security Agencies including the Army were immediately mobilized to calm the youths, saying the situation is now under control.
According to him, a preliminary report from the Area Commander of Police in the area indicated that the policeman was trying to defend himself when the tragedy occurred.
