CP condemns shooting of bus driver, another by policeman in Bayelsa

The Bayelsa State Police Command has called for calm following the shooting of a commercial bus driver with Peace Mass Transit and one other passenger by a policeman, saying the personnel involved has been arrested.
This was contained in a statement by the Command Spokesman, SP Asinim Butswat, in Yenagoa on Tuesday.
Butswat said the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Uche Anozia, directed the arrest of one Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel for suspicion of Discreditable Conduct and Unlawful Use of his Firearm.
“The suspect, a male NCO, who was arrested on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, is currently in detention at the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Yenagoa.
“The unfortunate incident leading to his arrest happened on January 6, 2020, when a PMF personnel on duty in a leading commercial bank in Yenagoa had an altercation with a driver of a commercial bus over parking rights.
“In the ensuing argument, the policeman allegedly pulled the trigger of his rifle injuring the driver and one other occupant of the bus.
“Police operatives of the Command, who responded to the incident, have evacuated and rushed the victims to the hospital and they are currently responding to treatment.
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police has condemned the shooting incident and called for calm from the residents.
“The CP expressed his sympathy with the victims, family and friends. He equally promised that the case will be comprehensively, speedily and conclusively investigated and all indicted persons will be brought to justice,’’ he said.
A member of staff of the Peace Mass bus, who refused to mention his name, described the shooting as totally unnecessary.
The staff said that the driver was behind the wheels of his vehicle when the policeman released the shot.
“We were just in front, here, when the policeman started the argument that led to the shooting.
“The argument was unnecessary because the driver was just trying to allow his passengers to disembark from the bus.
“I heard the driver telling the policeman that he would soon leave the place but before we knew what was happening, the policeman cocked his gun and shot the man.
“He was lifeless. The bullet hit two other passengers who were lying unconscious.
“It was an ugly sight but the policeman immediately boarded a commercial tricycle and ran away.
“There are about three policemen guarding the bank but this particular one has been troublesome.
“He is always aggressive and is always harassing and extorting commercial tricycle operators here.
“It is very disheartening. The bus came from Onitsha in Anambra without problems only for this ugly incident to happen at its destination”, the official explained.