9 children are currently receiving treatment for various degrees of injuries at the hospital after they were been shot by a man identified as Abdulralman Abontaen in Edo state.
The Edo state police command have reportedly arrested a man who angrily shot at children playing football on the street in Benin City.
Abdulralman Abontaen, a member of the Edo Vigilante group, was arrested on charges of attempted murder and illegal firearm possession.
Abdulralman was allegedly arrested in the Ogida area of Benin city.
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On April 23, 2022, the suspect angrily shot at children playing street football, according to Standard Gazette.
Abduralman had previously warned the children to stop playing football in the area because they had earlier destroyed his property.
When they defied him, the enraged Vigilante raced into his house, grabbed his unlicensed gun, and fired at the children, injuring nine of them.
“I urged them to stop playing football in my area, and they refused to listen to me,” Abduralman stated in an apologetic manner.
“I cautioned them since they had used the ball to destroy somethings in my house. They refused to leave when I requested them to.
“I shot the gun out of anger because I thought they were secret cult members.” I now regret it and am grateful that no one was killed.”
Festus Alenkhe, a Standard Gazette correspondent, reportedly paid a visit to the hospital where the children are being treated.
According to him, one of the victims, a 16 year old boy said he was shocked when the man pointed his gun at them.
“That is all I can remember until I woke up here at the hospital,” the 16 Year old said.
“I thought was dead,” he added.
“My other friends were shot as well, and they are currently in critical conditions,” he said.
The incident was described as “shocking” by the head of Egor Local Government Administration and Acting Council Chairman, Dr. Igbinigie, who was at the hospital to visit the injured children.
He said, “We want the police to Investigate the incident and make sure the proper steps are taken.”
SP Bello Kontong, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, said the suspect’s mental health would be evaluated as the inquiry progressed.
The defendant will face charges of attempted murder and unlawful possession of a firearm in court “According to SP Kontong.
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