A 16-year-old boy, Divine Efe, narrowly escaped death after he was allegedly shot by an operative of an anti-cult security outfit during a stop-and-search operation in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.
The incident reportedly occurred on May 17, 2026, at Western Delta Junction, Ogharefe, where members of the security outfit had mounted a checkpoint.
Divine, said to be a prospective university student and son of Dr. Victor Williams Efe of Delta Southern University, was reportedly travelling in a Sienna bus alongside two others to a nearby community to buy food items when the operatives intercepted them.
It was gathered that the occupants of the vehicle were ordered to alight for a search by the armed operatives.
Speaking on the incident, the victim’s father alleged that nothing incriminating was found after the vehicle and its occupants were thoroughly searched.
He explained that the operatives later demanded to inspect the boys’ mobile phones, a request they reportedly declined.
According to him, one of the operatives allegedly demanded money from the occupants.
“My son told me that after searching them and finding nothing illegal, the operatives asked them to ‘do transfer.’
He explained that they had no money except what they intended to use to buy food and pleaded with them to allow them leave,” he said.
Dr. Efe alleged that the situation later turned violent after the operatives threatened to take the young men to the police station.
He claimed the boys were assaulted with cutlasses and other dangerous objects before one of the guns allegedly discharged during the attack.
“It was in the course of the beating that one of the guns fired and the pellets hit my son on the leg. He narrowly escaped being struck in the face,” he stated.
The father disclosed that he received a distress call around 10:33 p.m. informing him that his son had been rushed to a hospital after sustaining a gunshot injury.
He added that the teenager almost lost one of his toes as a result of the injury.
According to him, doctors immediately commenced treatment and later requested an initial deposit of N400,000 for specialist attention and orthopaedic care.
“The orthopaedic surgeon placed him under observation to determine whether the affected toe would heal properly or require amputation.
The medical bills have been overwhelming,” he lamented.
Dr. Efe also decried what he described as rising cases of brutality and extortion by some local security outfits, warning that innocent residents could continue to suffer if urgent steps were not taken.
“What happened to my son can happen to anybody if these operatives are not properly monitored. Some of them are more interested in extortion than protecting lives,” he said.
He called on the Divisional Police Officer in Oghara, the traditional ruler of the community, political leaders, and other stakeholders to investigate the matter and prevent a recurrence.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Divine described the incident as traumatic, insisting that he and his companions committed no offence.
“They searched us and the vehicle and found nothing incriminating. We were calm throughout the encounter, but they suddenly became aggressive,” he said.
The teenager added that he even offered to buy fuel for the operatives in a bid to avoid trouble before the situation escalated.
“Before I realised what was happening, they started beating my friend severely.
Then one of them brought out a gun and fired. The bullet hit my leg and everything changed,” he recounted.
He said beyond the physical pain, the emotional trauma from the incident had been devastating.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, has stressed the need for professionalism and respect for human rights among security personnel in the state.
The police boss made the call during separate engagements with police officers, community leaders, members of the Police Community Relations Committee, and other stakeholders.
In a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, the meetings were organised in line with efforts by the Police Service Commission to curb human rights violations and strengthen community policing.
The statement noted that participants were sensitised on citizens’ rights, constitutional policing powers, and the importance of building trust between security agencies and the public.
It added that officers were urged to embrace lawful, accountable, and people-oriented policing in order to sustain public confidence in the police force.