A 40-year-old man, Benalayefa Asiayei, was shot and killed by a policeman along Azikoro Road in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.
According to reports, the incident occurred on Tuesday around 8 pm as Asiayei was returning home from work in his Toyota Sienna vehicle. He was accompanied by a passenger in the front seat.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, confirmed that the officer responsible was attached to the state security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo.
Eyewitnesses stated that the patrol team had stopped Asiayei and demanded a N200 payment, which he said he did not have. This seemingly trivial disagreement escalated, and the officer suddenly opened fire, killing the 40-year-old electrician.
Asiayei, who hailed from the Bobougbene community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, died at the scene. His in-law, Zaiky, who happened to be at the location, witnessed the aftermath and raised the alarm.
The police officer who shot Asiayei allegedly fled the scene in the patrol van, but some eyewitnesses managed to take pictures of him.
The family of the deceased is now seeking justice, urging Governor Douye Diri, the Inspector General of Police, and the Ijaw Youth Council to take immediate action against the police brutality incident. They have called for a thorough investigation, the arrest and prosecution of the officer responsible, as well as compensation and support for Asiayei’s family.
