A 40-year-old man, Benalayefa Asiayei, was fatally shot by a policeman along Azikoro Road in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. Asiayei, an electrician from the Bobougbene community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, was returning from work in his Toyota Sienna around 8 pm on Tuesday when the incident occurred.
Eyewitnesses reported that Asiayei was stopped by the police during a routine patrol, where they demanded N200 from motorists. Despite having only one passenger in his vehicle, Asiayei expressed his inability to meet the demand. Subsequently, the situation escalated, resulting in the fatal shooting.
Bayelsa Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, confirmed to GbaramatuVoice on Thursday that the officer involved has been identified and arrested. He stated, “The officer has been identified and arrested disciplinary proceedings will be melted”
The tragic incident has prompted calls for justice from Asiayei’s family and the various groups. They urge Governor Douye Diri and the Inspector General of Police to take decisive steps against police brutality in the state.
