Police Arrest Officer Over Passenger Death

The Police Command in Edo says it has arrested one of its personnel who fired a shot that killed a passenger in Benin on Friday.

SP Kontongs Bello, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, disclosed this in a statement he in Benin on Saturday.

Bello explained that the officer, who is of the anti-kidnap and cybercrime unit of the command, was trying to arrest a murder suspect when he fired a shot to restrain the fleeing suspect.

He said that the shot, unfortunately, hit the thigh of one of the passengers in a moving vehicle.

He said the victim was rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital where he later died.

“The bullet, unfortunately, hit one of the occupants of a moving vehicle identified as Moses Adam. He was rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital where he gave up the ghost.

“The erring officer will go through an administrative trial that will determine his culpability”, the statement said.

The PPRO noted that the Commissioner of Police, Philip Agbadu, was saddened by the incident and condoled with the family of the deceased.

He added that Ogbadu has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Criminal Investigation to carry out a discreet investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to him, the CP assures the public that he will not hesitate to deal with any erring and overzealous officer who acts unprofessionally in the course of his duty.

He urged the family of the victim and the public to remain calm to allow for a comprehensive investigation.

Bello, however, disclosed that the murder suspect has been arrested in connection with the death of one Bright Orikose last December.

He disclosed that the suspect was arrested following a tip-off from the public.