Killer’ Policeman Dismissed, to Face Trial – Thisday
November 27, 2009 by tim
The policeman who was alleged to have killed two children in retaliation of the death of his daughter at Oni Memorial Children Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, has been dismissed from the force, the Oyo State Police Commissioner, Adisa Bolanta, has said. He will also face trial for misconduct.
But Bolanta, who spoke with THISDAY on the phone yesterday, insisted that no child was killed, contrary to media reports. The policeman attached to Iyaganku Central Police Station, Ibadan, Mr. Raymond Egbongbonwuyi, with service number 303529, was reported to have removed drips from recuperating children on admission in the hospital and thereafter tear gased the ward where children, relatives and medical personnel were, leading to the death of two of the children.
His frustration reportedly stemmed out of the loss of another of his children at the University College Hospital (UCH) in similar circumstances a fortnight ago. The intervention of policemen from the nearby Oluyole Police Division brought the situation under control. Parents of the affected children fought back tears over the development and demanded justice. One of the parent, who gave her name as Mrs. Rukayat Lawal and whose child was in critical condition, said that her child was receiving treatment when the policeman stormed the ward and teargased the children on their beds.
One of the medical personnel decried the insecurity at the hospital and called on the state government to protect the employees and patients in the hospital. The police chief stated: “It was sheer sensationalism. I have been briefed of the development in the hospital.
