Four Nigerian police officers suspected to have been drunk have been accused of shooting dead three people at a funeral in the country’s south for unclear reasons, authorities said on Monday.
“The incident happened on Saturday night at Kwale,” said Charles Muka, police spokesman in Delta state, where the incident occurred.
“The four policemen were on illegal duty at a burial ceremony in the community. They must have been drunk when they started shooting, killing three people among the mourners.”
Muka said the policemen have been detained for questioning. He said they had not been officially sent to the funeral.
Nigeria’s police force has been plagued by deep corruption and officers have often faced accusations of outrageous abuses.
Such accusations include officers shooting residents at illegal checkpoints where police demand bribes.
Sep132011