The police command in Edo State on Sunday in Benin confirmed the arrest of nine persons over Wednesday’s shooting of two youths in a masquerade festival fracas in Igarra.
The Commissioner of the Police in the state, Folusho Adebanjo, made the confirmation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.
Adebanjo said the suspects would be transferred from Igarra, headquarters of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, to the command headquarters in Benin.
Adebanjo added that victims of the shooting were responding to treatment at different private hospitals in Igarra.
On the Otaru of Igarra’s allegation against the police in the fracas, he said the police had no hand in the problem.
The problem, he noted, was with the people in the community, stressing that if the police were involved in the matter in the anyway, they would not have arrested any suspect.
Adebanjo, however, said efforts were being made by the command to bring the parties involved in the issues that led to the fracas “to the table to resolve the matter and make peace”.
Adebanjo advised the people against taking the laws into their hands and assured them that the police would continue to ensure the safety of lives and property in every part of the state.
A NAN investigation revealed that the shooting occurred when youths believed to be loyal to the Otaru, Emmanuel Adachie Saiki II, while trying to enforce alleged ban on the Ekuochi masquarade festival, allegedly ambushed some youths.
The ambush, NAN learnt, led to a fracas during which dangerous weapons, including guns, were allegedly used.
In the end, two youths sustained gunshot injuries.
Meanwhile, the commissioner of police said investigation into the incident had commenced and would be comprehensive.
Nine arrested over Edo masquerade shooting
