The Edo State Police Command and leaders of Ogbeson Community in the Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state have traded blame over a violent clash that left several policemen and residents hospitalised with gunshot injuries.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, reportedly happened when members of the community had gathered at the Oguedion, the elders’ council, for a celebration before the situation suddenly degenerated into violence.
The spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said a team of policemen had visited the community to investigate a lingering communal crisis following a petition, but alleged that some youths in the area opened fire on the officers.
According to her, the officers had gone to invite community leaders who were meeting at the town hall, but were attacked by youths who refused to listen to them. She added that seven suspects were arrested while some arms were recovered during the operation.
However, youths and elders of the community denied attacking the policemen, alleging that the officers were accompanied by vigilantes and members of a neighbouring community with whom they have been having a dispute over autonomous status.
One of the community leaders, Hon. Best Ukposisi, said he narrowly escaped the incident, claiming that security operatives and their alleged accomplices opened fire on residents gathered at the Oguedion.