The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory, Bennett Igweh, has refuted claims that his officers were responsible for the death of a teenager in the Kubwa area of Abuja.
A video circulating online alleged that a teenager was shot and killed by the police while they were dispersing protesters in Kubwa.
Responding to these allegations, the spokesperson for the FCT command, Josephine Adeh, issued a statement on Saturday clarifying that the police officers deployed to the area did not have lethal weapons that could cause a fatality.
She explained, “Regarding the video footage circulating accusing the police of killing an unidentified teenager near Zenith Bank in Kubwa during a protest on August 3, 2024, the FCT police command categorically denies these claims. The officers deployed to the area were not armed with lethal weapons, only equipped with anti-riot gear that is not capable of causing the death of the teenager.”
Expressing outrage over the incident, Adeh mentioned that the CP had ordered an immediate investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.
Adeh stated, “Given the gravity of this incident, the police commissioner has instructed a prompt inquiry to uncover the cause of the teenager’s demise, urging the public to provide any relevant information to assist in the investigation.
“While offering sincere condolences to the grieving family, he reassured them and the public of a swift legal process to capture those responsible for this tragic event.
“Furthermore, the command acknowledges the potential spread of misinformation by troublemakers seeking to exploit the situation for their own agenda, and advises residents to disregard such falsehoods. The police are dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.”