Policeman shoots father of three dead

A father of three was allegedly shot and killed by a member of the Police Mobile Force's 43 Squadron in Gombe State near a well-liked pub in Elekahia, Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Rivers State.

The tragedy happened when the deceased, Olafuro Peterside, and his family went on a family outing.

According to information obtained, the policeman who was travelling with another officer (both from PMF 43-Squadron, Gombe) was in Rivers on a special assignment.

Grace Iringe-Koko, a spokeswoman for the State Police Command, confirmed the event to our correspondent early on Saturday.

However, she said that based on the intelligence at her disposal, the operatives opened fire after some locals reported seeing armed robbers in the neighbourhood.

Police Superintendent Iringe-Koko added that the two agents who were present at the scene of the incident had been taken into custody.

She added that the State Criminal Inquiry and Intelligence Department of the command has received the matter for due inquiry.

“Yes, the command is aware of the incident. From the information at my disposal, the man was with his family.

“There was an incident of robbery in the area, so the policemen shot into the air in response to the alarm raised.

“So I think a stray bullet hit the man. The officers are from the PMF 43-Squadron, Gombe, but attached to special duty in Rivers State, ” Iringe-Koko explained.

The police image maker condemned the occurrence while claiming that the failing officer and his colleague were being questioned. 

Source