A policeman attached to Bayelsa Police Command on Monday mistakenly shot dead a fellow policeman during a gun duel between the police and suspected cultists.
The incident occurred on Christmas day at Obele Area of Ovom in Yenagoa.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, an eyewitness said trouble started when a misunderstanding among the feasting cultists degenerated to a fight within the cult group, resulting to gunshots which eventually attracted a police patrol team to the area.
Confirming the incident, the Police Command Spokesman, DSP Asinim Butswat, said the killing was shocking.
Butswat said “Yes, the incident was between cultists but as the police went to find out what was going on, the cultists started shooting and one of the policemen mistakenly shot an officer.
“Though, we are yet to get the full details because some of our men, who were at the scene, are supposed to brief us over the matter.
“Nevertheless, the Police are intensifying efforts to ensure a crime-free environment for people in Bayelsa this period of Christmas celebration; we deployed over 4,000 personnel for patrol.
“We adopted some strategies like ‘Cordon and Search’; I must tell you, our men and women are fully on operations to safeguard lives and property,” Butswat said.
“I also urge them to continue to enjoy the Christmas celebration and steer clear of every criminal activity,” he added.
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