Ogbonna Casmir
Tension in Enugu metropolis as a happy trigger policeman Saturday stabbed to death by mob at the popular New Artisan Market.
The incident followed the alleged shooting of a tricycle rider by the policeman.
Although earlier report had claimed that the policeman met his untimely death while attempting to apprehend some hoodlums smoking Indian hemp in Enugu metropolis, other sources hinted that an altercation between some policemen and a tricycle rider led to the incidents.
The New Artisan Market area has been a hot bed for hoodlums, who operate mostly at night. However, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration had upon assumption of power made effort to sanitize the area.
The spokesman of the Enugu State Police Command, SP Ebere Amaraizu, said that the police had begun massive crackdown and investigation into the matter.
“We are saddened with the development that we lost one of our own in the line of duty.
“It is unfortunate that at this age, people still engage in maiming law enforcement officers meant to protect and ensure they live peacefully in their neighbourhoods.
“We have launched investigation into the matter.
“The command would unravel what happened and deal with the culprits decisively,’’ he said.
247ureports.com reports that trouble ensured when the policeman cautioned the tricycle rider carrying him against stopping another passenger in a particular place.
Although, he wasn’t on uniform until three policemen he had called on phone when crowd started building around him arrived at the scene.
“The keke rider stopped some passengers and the policeman told him that he had no right to stop there. From that point, there was altercation to the point that the policeman invited three of his colleagues. By that time, other keke riders had gathered including traders and onlookers.
“At that point, the enraged policeman shot at one of the keke riders. He lay in a pool of his blood and hell was let loose.
“The four policemen took to their heels and the keke riders pursued the particular one that shot their colleague. He was shooting and running; as soon as he exhausted his bullets, they got hold of him and stabbed him to death”, one of the sources alleged.
