A 36-year-old bricklayer, who was allegedly shot at close range by a trigger-happy policeman in front of his workshop on Aba Road, Umuahia, Abia State, last Thursday, is currently fighting for his life in a hospital.
Narrating his ordeal, the victim, Ucheama Okani, from the Ivo Local Government Area of the state, said he approached his workshop to ascertain how safe it was to open.
He stated, “Suddenly, somebody shouted that I should run. I looked back and saw some policemen and soldiers at my back.
“I started to run towards a container close by when one of the policemen aimed for my leg and shot me.
“One of the soldiers immediately rook offence with the policeman and asked him why he shot at me and turned away angrily.”
Okani, who was with his wife, Blessing, by his hospital bed, said he turned around and saw blood gushing out from his lap as the bullet pierced through his thigh and hit the container.
He stated, “I immediately took off my pair of trousers and tied my thigh, while the people, who had gathered, took me to a hospital.
“It took the intervention of a church minister, who knew me, to make the hospital admit me. I am recovering now.”
He explained that he was facing hardship settling the medical bills.
Blessing said she wept when she was informed that her husband had been shot and thanked God that he survived the incident.
Efforts to reach the state Police Public Relations Officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna, for his reaction proved abortive as calls put across to his mobile phone were unanswered.
