Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia
There was pandemonium around Bata area in Aba of Abia state on wednesday as a policeman was said to have shot and killed his colleague while trying to arrest a motorist who resisted being arrested.
The incident occurred in front of a fast food eatry where army check point is located which made many people to run for their dear lives.
According to an eye witness who gave his name as simply Paul said the policeman was trying to shoot a civilian for resisting arrest when he mistakenly shot his colleague.
Paul said the policemen were trying to force an occupant of a tinted sport utility vehicle (SUV) into their patrol van when the incident occurred.
He said, “When the occupant of the vehicle resisted being arrested, one of the policemen drew his gun and mistakenly shot his colleague”.
“When the police patrol team shot his colleague, they suddenly left the man they were trying to arrest and began attending to their colleague”.
“In the midst of the confusion, the suspect suddenly jumped into his vehicle and zoomed off and the policemen carried their shot colleague into their Hilux van and left”.
Paul maintained that from a layman’s point of view, “I think the policeman died on the spot and taking him to the hospital maybe either to confirm his death or to deposit him in a mortuary”.
He added that the police in Aba are always looking out for people with exotic cars with the aim if extorting money from them and called on the police command in the state to call their men to order, “As Aba people are suffering a lot in the hands of police men in the city”.
When contacted for response, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, said that he was yet to be informed of the incident.
Refreshing take on the subject, like a cold splash of water to my long-held beliefs.
Fantastic job breaking down this topic, like a demolition crew for my misconceptions.