A statement released by the Edo State Police Command revealed that herders suddenly shot at the deceased who spoke Hausa and tried mediating in the heated argument between him and Igbashiro, before fleeing the scene of the incident.
When a complaint was made and policemen from Ekiadolor police divisional headquarters in Benin were mobilized to effect the arrest of the herder who escaped, they were ambushed by some herdsmen with AK 47 rifles.
The statement partly read;
“Thereafter, the Divisional Police Officer, Ekiadolor division detailed Police operatives led by the District Officer (Owan Police Station), ASP Okodomi, with 11 men from the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and the village hunters, to the community for the arrest of the suspect and recovery of the gun.
“Unfortunately while the team of policemen were on board in a boat to cross over Ofe River heading to Ofutebe Community near Owan community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, some suspected herdsmen with AK 47 riffles, ambushed them, fired sporadically at them and in the process ASP Monday Ogeide and the complainant were shot on their hands, while Inspector Ogundele Sunday was not seen immediately after the attack.
“Consequently, the Command receiving the report of the incident, mobilized a back-up team who rescued ASP Monday Ogeide and the complainant and rushed them to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.
“This time, the whereabouts of Inspector Ogundele Sunday was still unknown. Efforts were put in place to rescue him, recover his riffle and also to effect the arrest of the suspects,” the statement said.
“On the 28th day of January, 2020, a search party led by CSP Abdullahi Wase, the Divisional Police Officer, Ekiadolor divisional headquarters, in collaboration with the vigilant group and the hunters were dispatched to the scene of crime in search of Inspector Ogundele Sunday.
“After a rigorous and diligent search, the officer was sighted on Ofe River, inside a boat and he was rescued alive with his riffle. He was immediately taken to the hospital where he is currently receiving treatment.”
Edo State’s Police Spokesperson, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor revealed that the police has launched a manhunt to arrest the herdsmen and charge them to court accordingly.
