A woman was shot dead by a joint security task force known as Operation Delta Sweep on Saturday in Abraka, Delta State, in the south-south of Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria quoted Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State as saying on Sunday that incident occurred when the security operatives, reportedly pursuing suspected criminals, allegedly fired a shot that struck the victim inside a car.
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An unconfirmed report said the deceased woman was pregnant. Some angry youths protested the killing.
Mr Oborevwori, who spoke on Sunday through a statement from his spokesperson, Festus Ahon, has described the killing as “very unfortunate” and vowed that his administration would ensure that the victim gets justice.
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The governor said the tragedy could have been avoided if the operatives had followed standard operational procedures. He called on security agencies operating in the state to exercise restraint and professionalism in carrying out their duties to avoid the needless loss of innocent lives.
Harrison Gwamnishu, a human rights activist in Delta, posted a video clip on Facebook where he was appealing to the angry youths to remain calm over the incident.
“It is your right to protest. Why we are here is to make sure nobody harasses you,” Mr Gwamnishu said to the youths in the video.
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In a text accompanying the video clip, he wrote that the operatives who shot the woman rushed her to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
“The voices of the Abraka people were clear and bitter: Operation Sweep has strayed from its purpose. Instead of protecting lives, many alleged that they are harassing, extorting young people.
“This tragic incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for accountability,” he stated in the text.
Governor Oborevwori launched Operation Delta Sweep in November 2024 to step up crime-fighting in the oil-rich state.
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