The men of the Edo State Police Command have arrested a member of a Vigilance Group, Abdulralman Agbontaen, who fired a pump action rifle at children playing football in Benin City.
Agbontaen inflicted different degrees of gunshot injuries on nine of the children who were playing a game of football at Enabulele Street, Ogida Quarters, Benin.
Agbontaen said that he fired at the boys because they refused his order to stop playing football in the area.
He said that he came out to warm them
because they had destroyed things in his house while playing football in the past.
According to him, he fired at them in anger because he thought they belonged to a secret cult.
“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.”
The State PPRO, Bello Kontongs told journalists on Tuesday that the nine kids who sustained injuries were taken to Stella Obasanjo Hospital for medical attention.
He said, “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,”
The Police Spokesman said that Agbontaen would face prosecution for attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms
He stated also that the suspect would be subjected to a thorough mental examination during the process of investigation.
Also, speaking the Acting Chairman, Egor Local Government, Dr Igbinigie, urged the police to conduct proper investigation into the matter.
Igbinigie said that Agbontaen‘s action was shocking.