Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Abia State Police command has confirmed the arrest of an officer, Corporal Njok ND who shot and killed one Emmanuel Michael Okocha, a business man for allegedly refusing to offer him bribe.
The incident was said to have happened along Aba/Owerri Road, Abayi, Aba, Abia State on Wednesday.
It was gathered that on the fateful day, Okocha, a native of Abiriba in Ohafia Local Government Area of the state was returning from his home town to Aba in his unnamed car in company of his friend when the incident happened.
It was also learnt that on approaching Abayi Girls’ Secondary School, the police men reportedly stopped them and demanded to see his vehicle’s papers and Okocha’s driver’s licence which he gave them without hesitation.
It was equally gathered that after the check, the police officer returned the documents to the owner, an indication they were in order.
However, instead of allowing Okocha and his friend to go, it was alleged the policeman demanded bribe from them.
The deceased reportedly replied that he had no money to give him, not when they had wasted time checking his papers.
Thinking that he had been cleared to go, the deceased allegedly attempted to move his car from the check point, when Corporal Njok who was standing in front on the car, without provocation, shot at Okocha.
An eye witness said immediately the deceased was hit by the bullet, the police team left him in pains and fled the scene.
It was Okocha’s friend who took him to a nearby hospital where he was operated upon to remove the bullet lodged in his body, but he died hours later.
The deceased’s friend was said to have later identified Corporal Njok ND and other members of the team at the MCC Police Station, Abayi.
Reacting to the incident, Abia State Police Command said preliminary inquiries it conducted into the matter reveal that Corporal Njok, attached to Abayi Police Division, actually shot the deceased.
A statement by the Command’s PPRO, Maureen Chinaka, described the incident as “unfortunate, and regrettable.”
She added that the officer had been apprehended, and necessary disciplinary procedures had been initiated, adding that appropriate administrative and legal consequences would follow soon.