- Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Michael EKOKORUWE:
Ozoro youths, alleged to be Yahoo Boys, went on rampage in Ozoro, headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State, protesting over harassment, brutality and extortion by the police in the area.
The youths went on rampage within Ozoro metropolis just as a 23-year old boy identified as Collins died, after he was hit by a stray bullet from a gun shot.
The protesters took to the streets of the town, displaying placards with various inscriptions such as “Police stop extorting money from us”, ” Police leave us alone” among others, as they marched from Owhelogbo junction down to other major streets before terminating at NDC road.
A source who craved anonymity said the youths came out to protest against the police continuous harassment of young boys suspected to be internet fraudsters.
They complained about the police searching their phones on the way and asking them to pay some huge amount of money to bail themselves on the spot otherwise they will be taken to the station. Others complain of being invaded in their houses by the police without search warrant.
The source stated that police in the process of trying to dispel the protesters, a gun shot from a stray bullet hit the the boy and he died on the spot.”
The development has generated tension in the area as various trucks of policemen were seen mobilizing in strategic positions to restore normalcy to the town.
Meanwhile, the body of the deceased had been taken to the mortuary of a private hospital in the area.
When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Onome Onovwakpoyeya confirmed the incident saying “we heard that yahoo boys protested. We are still trying to investigate who shot.”
