Panic in Ondo community as accidental discharge kills vigilante

By Boye Oyeyemi

A member of a local vigilante group, Oche Emmanuel, has died after his firearm reportedly discharged accidentally in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The 42-year-old was said to be travelling on a motorcycle to his duty post along the Ipenme Road axis of the town when the incident occurred.

Sources familiar with the incident said the deceased was carrying his firearm when his cap reportedly fell off while riding.

He was said to have made a U-turn to retrieve it before the weapon accidentally went off.

The gunshot reportedly struck Emmanuel, leaving him critically injured at the scene as passersby and residents rushed to assist him.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the victim was immediately taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, for medical attention, where he was pronounced dead.

Jimoh added that the deceased’s firearm and motorcycle had been recovered and taken into custody, while his remains were deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Felix Ohagwu, had expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and urged security personnel and other licensed firearm holders to adhere strictly to safety procedures in handling weapons to prevent similar tragedies.