- The officer is assigned to the Nsukka Urban Police Divisional Headquarters
The police in Enugu State, South-east Nigeria, have launched an investigation into the killing of a resident allegedly by a police officer.
According to Premium Times, the officer, whose identity remains undisclosed, allegedly shot and killed Chinedu Edeh on Sunday night along Echara Road in the Nsukka Local Government Area.
The officer is assigned to the Nsukka Urban Police Divisional Headquarters.
Sources indicate that a group of plain-clothed officers had gone to a local recreation center. One officer reportedly began dancing with a woman, suspected to be a commercial sex worker. The woman later accused the officer of fondling her breasts, leading to an altercation.
She reported the incident to the manager of the center, who then confronted the officer. A heated argument ensued, escalating into a fight.
Other officers tried to intervene, but during the scuffle, one officer reportedly retrieved an AK-47 rifle from their vehicle and fired shots, seemingly to disperse the crowd.
Tragically, a stray bullet struck Chinedu Edeh, who was playing snooker at the time.
The incident sparked a violent protest by angry youths in the area.
In a statement on Thursday, Enugu State police spokesperson Daniel Ndukwe said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered a thorough investigation into the killing.
Deputy Superintendent Ndukwe stated that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department has been tasked with conducting the investigation and ensuring that the officer and any others found responsible are prosecuted.
The victim’s body has been placed in a morgue.