By Joy Yesufu
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has detained an officer of its Quick Response Squad (QRS) over the alleged shooting and injury of a seven-year-old boy in Uyo, the state capital.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 9:30pm during a routine stop-and-search operation along Abak Road, Uyo.
The police said its personnel had stopped a vehicle conveying members of a family when a firearm was allegedly discharged by one of the officers, injuring the seven-year-old boy in the left hand.
The officer involved was identified as Inspector Monday Okonta.
“Immediately the incident was brought to the attention of the Commissioner of Police, he directed that the officer allegedly involved, Inspector Monday Okonta, be identified, disarmed and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Uyo, pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation,” the statement said.
The command said the CP personally visited the injured child at the hospital, where he met with the family and assessed the boy’s condition.
It said the child was stable and responding to treatment.
Azare expressed concern over the incident and assured the family that the circumstances surrounding the shooting would be thoroughly investigated.
He said while police officers would continue to conduct lawful operations, including crime prevention and stop-and-search activities, such duties must be carried out with professionalism, restraint and respect for the safety and rights of members of the public.
The command said it would neither shield nor condone misconduct, recklessness or abuse of authority by its personnel.
“Accordingly, where the investigation establishes misconduct or culpability, appropriate disciplinary and legal measures will be taken in accordance with extant laws and police regulations,” the statement added.
The commissioner appealed to the family and members of the public to remain calm and allow the investigation to run its course while assuring that the process would be conducted transparently and fairly to all parties.
