Trigger-happy policeman arrested for killing a driver in Bayelsa

The Bayelsa State Police Command last night confirmed the arrest of a police officer attached to MOPOL 30 Squadron in connection with the killing of a driver.

The Bayelsa Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Fidelis Odunna (DSP), confirmed said: “it is true that the driver died. The officer concerned has been arrested and he is with the state C.I.D. I am very sad.”

The trigger-happy mobile policeman shot and killed a driver of a Toyota Hilux van identified as Goddy Umorem at Swali market area of Yenagoa in a traffic jam.


Investigations revealed that Umorem, who was returning to his company’s base at Akaba village, was killed when he had an argument with the policeman.

An eyewitness said that the driver had been passed by a civilian controlling traffic for the construction firm working on the road.

However, the policeman who was also attached to the same construction company ordered the late driver to reverse.

The eyewitness said that appeals by the driver that he could not reverse because there were vehicles behind him and more so when he had been passed by the traffic controller were ignored.

This was said to have angered the policeman who went to the front of the Hilux van and shot him on the head killing him instantly.

The late driver’s employer, Dr Azibapu Eruani, described the incident as unfortunate and asked the police to unravel the circumstances of the death.

The remains of the deceased had been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) mortuary in Yenagoa.