A middle-age man has suffered a cruel fate in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as he got crushed to death amid the controversy surrounding a neighbour’s missing fowl. The man, Odoko Iwama was crushed dead by policemen drafted into a new security outfit established by the Bayelsa State Government to replace Operation Famuo Tangbei, accused of human rights abuses against Bayelsans.
The new outfit meant to rid the state of criminals is yet to be launched, only operating on a test-run. The tragic victim who was married with four children hailed from Okodi in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. According to investigations, the deceased, Mr Odoko Iwama was informed by his neighbour, simply identified, as Ifeanyi about his missing fowl.
The latter had pleaded that in case the former came across the fowl, he should alert him. Iwama known in the neighbourhood for being playful had jokingly asked another friend of his called Bomber if he was not the one that killed Ifeanyi’s fowl. Bomber, however, took offence over the statement, resulting in a scuffle between him and Iwama. Neighbours intervened and settled the quarrel. The deceased’s wife, Mrs Iwama who lamented her husband’s death said it was Bomber who later called in the operatives of security outfit over the matter.
Her words: “My husband in his usual playful manner approached his friend popularly known as Bomber and said ‘Bomber, Ifeanyi said his fowl is missing and I saw you killing one fowl today, are you sure that is not Ifeanyi’s fowl you have slaughtered? “The question offended Bomber and they engaged in a fight, which we were able to put under control. “Later in the evening, unaware that Bomber had called Operation Doo Akpo to arrest him, he went out to buy recharge card. On getting to the road Bomber started pointing at him to the police officers, who did not come out of their Hilux truck. Bomber shouted, ‘this is the man, this the man.’
Surprised that Bomber could call the police, my husband who was trying to avoid another attack from Bomber ran, and before we knew it, the police van in full speed hit him and he fell on the ground. He died on the spot.” Checks indicated his body had been deposited at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, while eyewitnesses had reported the matter at Ekeki Police Station, prompting the arrest of Bomber and the Hilux van.
The Iwama family and neighbours of the deceased were, however, worried that the Policemen who were in the Hilux van had not been arrested. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Fidelis Odunna who confirmed the incident said the Police were already investigating the matter. Meanwhile, the leadership of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) has condemned the killing, describing it as unacceptable. The SNG in a statement signed by Puluovie Japheth said the death of Mr Iwama was unfortunate and avoidable error on the part of the police officers who carried out that arrest mission.
The new outfit meant to rid the state of criminals is yet to be launched, only operating on a test-run. The tragic victim who was married with four children hailed from Okodi in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. According to investigations, the deceased, Mr Odoko Iwama was informed by his neighbour, simply identified, as Ifeanyi about his missing fowl.
The latter had pleaded that in case the former came across the fowl, he should alert him. Iwama known in the neighbourhood for being playful had jokingly asked another friend of his called Bomber if he was not the one that killed Ifeanyi’s fowl. Bomber, however, took offence over the statement, resulting in a scuffle between him and Iwama. Neighbours intervened and settled the quarrel. The deceased’s wife, Mrs Iwama who lamented her husband’s death said it was Bomber who later called in the operatives of security outfit over the matter.
Her words: “My husband in his usual playful manner approached his friend popularly known as Bomber and said ‘Bomber, Ifeanyi said his fowl is missing and I saw you killing one fowl today, are you sure that is not Ifeanyi’s fowl you have slaughtered? “The question offended Bomber and they engaged in a fight, which we were able to put under control. “Later in the evening, unaware that Bomber had called Operation Doo Akpo to arrest him, he went out to buy recharge card. On getting to the road Bomber started pointing at him to the police officers, who did not come out of their Hilux truck. Bomber shouted, ‘this is the man, this the man.’
Surprised that Bomber could call the police, my husband who was trying to avoid another attack from Bomber ran, and before we knew it, the police van in full speed hit him and he fell on the ground. He died on the spot.” Checks indicated his body had been deposited at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, while eyewitnesses had reported the matter at Ekeki Police Station, prompting the arrest of Bomber and the Hilux van.
The Iwama family and neighbours of the deceased were, however, worried that the Policemen who were in the Hilux van had not been arrested. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Fidelis Odunna who confirmed the incident said the Police were already investigating the matter. Meanwhile, the leadership of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) has condemned the killing, describing it as unacceptable. The SNG in a statement signed by Puluovie Japheth said the death of Mr Iwama was unfortunate and avoidable error on the part of the police officers who carried out that arrest mission.
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