Inspector Stanley Azuh attached to Ohuru-Ishimiri Police Division at Ogbor-Hill, Aba, has been arrested by the Abia State Police Command for reportedly killing Chibuisi Godwin.
The incident occurred in Ogbor-Hill, along New Umuahia road in Aba. The deceased, a staff of Greenmac Energy Ltd, was shot while the Inspector was enforcing the Abia Government’s ‘Stay at Home’ directive aimed at containing the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state.
According to a police source, Azuh, while attempting to stop a vehicle violating the lockdown order, accidentally discharged his rifle, hitting Godwin who later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
Abia State Police Commissioner, Ene Okon, confirmed the arrest and stated that the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has taken over the case.
Okon emphasized that the police do not take such disregard for human life lightly, and revealed that the Inspector is being investigated for murder.
“A trained officer on such assignment should put his rifle on safety mode; the rifle has a safety mode and once you put it there, it will not just release anyhow. So, it is not an excuse that he mistakenly touched the trigger. That’s why we detained him and are seriously investigating the whole matter,” Okon added.
“We have our rules of engagement, our standards of operation and procedures, and our own Force Order 237 as reviewed. That order has to do with when a police officer has to use his firearm and it will be justified. It’s not an excuse for you to say accidental discharge,” he said.