A member of the Edo Security Network (vigilante), Abdurahma Agbontaen, has been arrested by operatives of the State Police Command for allegedly shooting and injuring nine children who were playing football.
The incident occurred on Saturday, 23 April, 2022, at Enabulele Street, Ogida Quarters, Benin, Edo State.
Edo State Police Command spokesman, SP Bello Kontongs, who confirmed the incident and arrest of the suspect in a statement on Tuesday, added that the injured children were taken to Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Sapele Road, for treatment.
The statement reads in part: “At about 09.00hrs on 23/04/2022 following a distress call, one Abdurahma Agbontaen of Enabulele Street Ogida quarters Benin city was arrested after shooting at kids playing football on the street.
“He used a pump action automatic gun in the attack with nine of them suffering various degree of injuries and were taken to Stella Obasanjo Hospital for medical attention. The suspect was arrested and firearm was recovered from him.”
Bello who disclosed that the suspect mental state of health would be checked as part of the investigation, added that the suspect would be arraigned in court for attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearm.”
The suspect, while narrating what transpired, confirmed that he shot the gun out of anger.
He further disclosed that he warned the boys to stop playing football in his area, because they had previously destroyed his properties with their ball, but that they did not listen to him.
According to him, the boys did not listen to him and an angry Agbontaen brought out his gun and fired at the boys injuring nine of them.
He said: “I told them to stop playing football in my area and they refused to listen to me.They have used the ball to destroy things in my house and that was why I warned them. I asked them to go elsewhere and they refused.
“I shot the gun out of anger as I suspected them to be secret cult members. I regret it now and I thank God no one died.”
Reacting to the incident, the head of Egor Local Government Administration and the Acting Council Chairman, Dr Igbinigie who was at the hospital to see the injured kids described the incident as shocking.
He urged the police: “We want the police to investigate the incident and ensure the right thing is done.”
