A police inspector has opened fire on his colleagues on duty in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, killing one officer and injuring another.
The incident occurred at about 1:20 pm on Sunday at Next Cash and Carry Supermart in the Trans-Amadi area of Port Harcourt.
The affected officers were on joint guard duty with military personnel at the time of the shooting.
Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, confirmed the incident on Monday.
Iringe-Koko said preliminary investigations showed that Victor Okus, a police inspector, allegedly shot Ibrahim Sani and Daniel Dauda, both inspectors.
She said the two officers were rushed to Nopsam Hospital, where Sani was confirmed dead, while Dauda survived and is receiving treatment.
Iringe-Koko said the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the Military Hospital mortuary in Port Harcourt for autopsy.
Her words: “According to the unit commander, 14 PMF, DSP Turaki Hassan, and preliminary investigations, the tragic incident occurred at about 1320 hrs at Next Cash and Carry Supermart, Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt.
“Ibrahim Sani and Daniel Dauda, all attached to 14 PMF, Yola, were on joint guard duty with military personnel when Inspector Okus allegedly shot his colleagues.
“The injured officers were promptly rushed to Nopsam Hospital for medical treatment, where Inspector Sani succumbed to his injuries, while Inspector Dauda is still receiving medical treatment.”
She said Okus, attached to 17 PMF but on special duty at Intels, Onne, had been arrested and was in police custody.
Iringe-Koko said Sani and Dauda were attached to the 14 Police Mobile Force in Yola.
She said Olugbenga Adepoju, commissioner of police in Rivers state, had ordered a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident.
Iringe-Koko said the police chief directed that the suspect undergo an orderly room trial before being charged to court.
She said Adepoju also reminded officers of the serious responsibility involved in handling firearms while on duty.
“The commissioner of police advised officers that the handling of firearms while on duty is a serious responsibility and not a routine task,” she said.
“The Rivers State Police Command extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, colleagues and friends of Inspector Sani and reaffirms its commitment to professionalism, accountability and justice,” Iringe-Koko added.
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