Akwa Ibom Police Detain Officer Over Sh**ting Of Seven-Year-Old Boy

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has detained an officer following the alleged shooting and injury of a seven-year-old boy during a stop-and-search operation in Uyo, the state capital.

According to Ireporter Online, the incident occurred on Friday night along Abak Road while police personnel were conducting a routine stop-and-search operation.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed the development in a statement, saying preliminary information indicated that officers stopped a vehicle conveying members of a family at about 9:30 p.m.

According to the statement, a firearm was allegedly discharged by one of the officers during the encounter, resulting in an injury to the left hand of the seven-year-old boy who was inside the vehicle.

Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, ordered that the officer allegedly involved, identified as Inspector Monday Okonta, be disarmed and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Uyo pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation.

The police command said Okonta remained in detention as investigators worked to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

The Commissioner of Police also personally visited the injured child at the hospital, where he met with the family and assessed the boy’s condition.

The command said Azare expressed concern over the incident and assured the family that the circumstances surrounding the shooting would be thoroughly investigated.

According to the police, the child was in stable condition and responding to treatment at the time of the statement.

The command said the investigation would determine the full circumstances surrounding the discharge of the firearm and ensure that appropriate action is taken based on its findings.

The incident has renewed concerns over the conduct of firearms and stop-and-search operations, particularly when members of the public, including children, are involved.

The Akwa Ibom Police Command said it would continue to cooperate with the affected family while the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.