The killing coincided with the admission by the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state that there were “pockets” of
violence involving some ad hoc staff who were hospitalised following
injuries sustained during last Saturday’s polls in the state.
THISDAY gathered that Nemine, was shot along Human Rights Road,
Agudama-Epie within Yenagoa, the state capital. The tragic incident
occurred at about 7.50p.m.
The deceased who is in his late 50s was an indigene of Ekeremor town,
and was shot at close range on the head in the presence of his wife.
While a police source said the deceased was hit by a stray bullet
provoked by violent clash between two rival cult groups, eyewitnesses
have it that the gunmen who numbered over 10 invaded the deceased’s
wife’s store located in front of his house where she sells recharge
cards, dispossessed the woman of her cash from the day’s sales and were
already leaving the scene when she raised the alarm, an action said to
have angered the invaders who came back and shot the husband who was
sitting in front of the shop at close range.
The police, it was learnt, have arrested a suspect in connection with the killing.
The state police command spokesman, Asinim Boswat confirmed the incident.
The state police command spokesman, Asinim Boswat confirmed the incident.
Boswat said Nemine was hit by a stray bullet from a clash by rival cult
groups in the area and that one of the ring leaders is in custody while
the police are tracking down the others.
Butswat however explained that the police are yet to verify the
veracity of the accounts by eyewitnesses at the scene of the shooting.
He said: “We received a distress call of a clash between two rival cult groups, the DPO Akenfa Division led a team to the scene but before our men arrived there the cultists had fled. The man was hit by a stray bullet and died”.
He said: “We received a distress call of a clash between two rival cult groups, the DPO Akenfa Division led a team to the scene but before our men arrived there the cultists had fled. The man was hit by a stray bullet and died”.
The police have commenced investigation into the matter and the culprits will be brought to justice.”
Meanwhile, the INEC at a press conference in Yenagoa monday lamented the kidnap of some of commission’s ad hoc staff by unknown persons in Brass area of the state.
Meanwhile, the INEC at a press conference in Yenagoa monday lamented the kidnap of some of commission’s ad hoc staff by unknown persons in Brass area of the state.
The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Baritor Kpaghih who
confirmed the incident lamented that the ad hoc staff were held hostage
at Brass and that it took the efforts of the Joint Task Force (JTF) to
secure their release from irate youths who had demanded for collation
sheets before the House of Assembly election could hold in the
constituency.
He said there was no election in the constituency as well as Ogbia II
and that election will only be possible in the two areas when the
communities come together and guarantee the safety of INEC personnel and
materials.
Kpaghih however commended what he described as partnership among some
stakeholders including the media and security agencies which to a great
extent resulted in peaceful polls.
He also disclosed that in a marked departure from the past, some
aggrieved candidates are taking their cases to the election petition
tribunal rather than taking the laws into their hands.
In the results of the House of Assembly declared so far, out of 22
constituencies, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched 20 seats
while the All Progressives Congress (APC) and All Progressive Grand
Alliance (APGA) won a seat each.
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