From Paul Osuyi, Asaba

The president of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara, Dr. Harrison Adja, on Wednesday accused the police of allegedly shooting at him at the Agbor axis of the Benin-Asaba-Onitsha highway.

Adja said he narrowly escaped death in the hands of the trigger happy police officers in a patrol van.

Adja told journalists in Asaba that he was on his way to the state capital when he attempted to overtake the lone patrol van with registration number RBC 970 TN but officers ordered him not to dare, pointing rifle at him.

“I was driving on the Benin-Onitsha expressway and about overtaking a police patrol van when they (policemen) pointed their guns at me to go back.

“So, I slowed down and was using my hand to demonstrate what was inscribed on my car, and the next thing I heard was ‘God punish doctor…’

“I was still behind them when they summarily opened fire at me, hitting the car and bursting the radiator, condenser and power steering pipes of my official vehicle,” Adja narrated.

He said, in fright, he lost control of his vehicle and ran off the road into a gutter.

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According to him, the policemen at Agbor Police Divisional Headquarters where he went to report the matter were hostile, adding that they refused to take his statement but kept him waiting for over three hours.

Adja said he went to Delta State Police Command headquarters in Asaba with details of the near tragic incident, and that he was yet to get any response from the police.

“I have reached out to the Commissioner of Police with the details and I am hoping to get results, but I am yet to get any result.

“Same fate one may assume, befell the gruesome murder of our colleague in Oghara few weeks ago, and a lawyer few months ago.

“Can we actually call this a country if things remains like this? Bleak and no signs of light in the tunnel?” he wondered.

Reacting to the allegation, Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Bright Edafe confirmed that the matter was reported by Adja, adding that the matter was being investigated.