Stray bullet kills policeman in Plateau

• It’s gathered that late police officer was part of a team of security agents who were deployed to the area to enforce an eviction order imposed by the State government

A police officer has died after he was hit by stray bullet in Plateau State.

The deceased met his end while on duty at the Terminus area of Jos, the Plateau State capital.

It’s gathered that late police officer was part of a team of security agents who were deployed to the area to enforce an eviction order issued by the State government.

The security agents were, however, said to have been vehemently resisted by the hoodlums who defied the State government order to vacate the busy neighbourhood for the free passage of traffic.

The hoodlums, it was further gathered, indiscriminately displayed goods consisting mainly of second-hand clothes, bags, and others on the road despite repeated warning by the authority for them to end the menace.

The hoodlums resisted the Joint Task Force comprising of personnel from the Police, DSS, NSCDC, Immigration, FRSC, and Operation Rainbow saddled with the responsibility of ensuring sanity in the Terminus area.

In the ensuing pandemonium, warning shots were fired to disperse the mob but the bullet hit the policeman and he died at the spot.

The spokesman of the State Police Command, DSP Alfred Alabo confirmed the incident.

He said the officer, one Inspector Emmanuel Tanko, who fired the shot has since been arrested and he is being investigated.

He said the security operatives “While conducting a clearance operation today, met stiff resistance from a mob.

“After all efforts by the team to bring the situation under control proved abortive, an officer from one of the sister agencies fired a warning shot but unfortunately, one Inspector Emmanuel Tanko with AP. No. 336714 attached to 38PM Akwanga, who is on special duty in Plateau State Command was hit by the bullet and he died on the spot.

“In a bid to restore normalcy to the State, the Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command, CP Emmanuel Adesina, visited the scene to assess the situation.

“The officer was immediately arrested, and he is currently under investigation at the State CID Jos while the victim’s corpse was deposited at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Jos for autopsy.”

He added that the State Police commissioner, Hassan Yabanet had extended condolences to the family of the deceased officer and the entire Nigeria Police Force over the tragic loss of the diligent and dutiful officer.

He urged members of the public to always cooperate with the security agencies in the execution of their lawful duties, as the laws the officers were enforcing are for the general good of the citizens.