The Police Public relations officer of Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe, has frowned at the use of his photo by ThePunch newspaper.
The disagreement arose when the newspaper published an unfortunate story of a two-year-old baby, Ivan Onose.
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Little Ivan was shot dead, while his brother sustained injuries during a police raid on a drug joint in Asaba.
While running the story, the newspaper did a photo collage of the late child and Edafe for illustration.
To the police officer, it insensitive of the platform to have used a picture of him smiling for such a heartbreaking story.
“I don’t think the admin of this handle has done right by using a picture of me smiling. This is a very serious issue, and we are all pained,” he wrote.
The two-year-old little Onose allegedly died after he was hit by a stray bullet alleged to have been shot by NDLEA men on duty.
According to the father who spoke with newsmen, the men of NDLEA were alleged to be pursuing some guys who they said were into drugs and shot sporadically in the process.
“Onose, who was picked up from school yesterday by his parents became a victim of this unfortunate mess.
“The bullet pierced through his lower abdomen. He was rushed to FMC and was handled by the medical team with the support of one of the school’s parents Dr Yusuf. He was taken for emergency surgery Unfortunately, he didn’t make it. This is heartbroken!!! I’m so pained.
“The bullet also hit his younger brother in one of his eyes. Surgery has been done and he is stable to the glory of God!
“We call on the authorities of the said body to get into investigations and unravel circumstances that led to the death of this young boy and injury to his younger brother,” the paper was quoted.
In its reaction, the Delta State command claimed it was aware of the incident.
“The command is aware of this sad and unfortunate incident. The case has been transferred to SCID Asaba, and all parties involved will appear before the CP on Monday. Our heartfelt condolences to the family of the little child,” DSP Edafe had said.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
