The Edo State Police
Command has apprehended a vigilante, Abdurahma Agbontaen, for shooting and
wounding nine children playing football on the street in Benin City.
The vigilante was apprehended
on the grounds of attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms.
Spokesperson of the command,
SP Bello Kontongs said: “At about 09.00hrs on April 23, 2022, following a
distress call, one Abdurahma Agbontaen of Enabulele Street, Benin was arrested
after shooting at kids playing football on the street.
“He used a pump-action
automatic gun in the attack, with nine of the kids sustaining various degrees
of injuries and were taken to Stella Obasanjo Hospital for medical attention.
The suspect was arrested and the firearm was recovered from him.”
Speaking on the incident, the
suspect claimed that he warned the children to stop playing football because
they had previously destroyed his property. However, they disobeyed him and he
subsequently went into his home, got his gun, shot at them and injured nine of
them.
He said: “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 members of a secret society. I regret it now and I thank
God no one died.”
The suspect will be arraigned
in court for attempted murder and unlawful possession of a firearm.
