Pandemonium as police officer shot Okada rider dead in Imo, for not wearing face mask
JOHNKENNEDY UZOMA, Owerri
An Inspector of Police attached to Imo State Police Command Owerri has shot dead a 27 year old commercial motorcyclist for allegedly not wearing a face mask at the popular banana junction in Orlu
The incident occurred around 3pm today and caused panic in the area as youths, including traders threatened to invade a nearby police station.
DAYLIGHTNG.COM learnt that a detachment of police team had been drafted to the scene to rescue the situation.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that the victim, a commercial motorcyclist who was carrying a passenger was allegedly shot on a close range by one of the policemen who were on a stop-and- search duty.
When contacted the state commissioner of police, Isaac Akinmodele, confirmed the killing of the motorcyclist by an officer in a telephone conversation, he said that one of his men was also macheted during the problem
The policeman had stopped the man and asked him why he was shot wearing a face mask and one thing led to the other and he shot him on a close range and he died on the spot.
Given the tense situation, the youths, okada riders and traders went on a rampage which has made Policemen taken to their heels while those at the police station have removed their police uniforms and are putting on plain cloths.
A source told DAYLIGHTNG.COM that the inspector killed the victim after he refused to give him money for not wearing a face mask.
He said ” He demanded for money from the okada rider but the guy refused. All of a sudden he cocked his riffle and shot him at a close range. The guy died immediately. ”
Our correspondent learnt that on seeing that the motorcyclist had died, the inspector took to his heels but people within went after him.
Angered by the development, the youths invaded the police station before policemen from the Orlu area command arrived and started shooting into the air.
The CP further said that the situation is being managed, adding that it was true that a policeman killed a man but the situation is not out of control.
He said that people whose loved one was killed have a right to be angry.
The CP called for calm from all the parties, while assuring that the situation will be handled
He said: “I have instructed the area commander to ensure that normalcy is returned. Justice will be served in the matter”.
The CP assured that the trigger happy inspector and all the persons involved in the incident would be arrested.
