Police officer allegedly shoots man dead at a burial ceremony in Akwa Ibom

One Emmanuel Dickson has been shot dead by a police officer at a burial ceremony held in his father’s compound at Edoho Ukpong street, Idua village, Eket in Akwa Ibom state.

It was gathered that the police officer, Awana Jacob after reportedly shooting the deceased on Sunday, October, 10 at about 5:05pm, fled the scene and latter resurfaced, claiming it was an accidental discharge.

An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, told newsmen that the deceased was shot on the head when he was trying to jump through the fence as a team of police officers invaded the venue of the burial ceremony.

The chairman Ukwa Village council, Elder Samuel Etukudoh who confirmed the incident on Thursday demanded justice adding that the deceased was his brother in-law.

“It was about 8am when my wife called to notify me of the incident. My wife is the sister to the deceased. I was informed that my brother in-law came back from the opening of a mourning house, just to tidy himself and go back again.

“Eventually, the police bashed into the compound. They have a cultural group called Nkotriko. So, the police just bashed in and they started running and this boy in question jumped from the fence just to escape and the police shot him dead and what he is trying to tell us is that it is an accidental discharge.

“When I was informed, I had to call the DPO and he said he has just received the information. The following day I called the commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme,” he narrated.

Also, an elder sister to the deceased, Princess Nelly Dickson, expressed shock over the untimely demise of her younger brother, adding that she is yet to see her brother’s corpse as at press time.

She said, “It was on Sunday, I was in a salon, my mum called me to come to the house. When I arrived I saw a large crowd in the compound and I went straight to meet with my parents to know what was happening.

“They told me that my brother went to a mourning house and some people were telling them to rush that some policemen came and were shooting. As I am speaking to you I have not seen my brother’s corpse.”

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Macdon when contacted said ; “What I have about that issue is still skeletal and you know me that I don’t speak on issues which I don’t have enough knowledge about.”