Policeman shoots, kills Air Force officer

Clement James, Calabar

A mobile policeman, identified as Sergeant Williams Enah, from Mopol 11, has allegedly shot and killed an Air Force officer whose identity is yet unknown.

The incident, which took place at Unity Bank, Marian road in Calabar on Wednesday, happened when some people started struggling over who would be the first to withdraw money from the bank’s ATM. The ATM gallery was just outside the premises of the bank.

An eyewitness, who pleaded for anonymity said: “The Policeman was sitting at the corner of the bank when he heard a noise from the ATM point. He moved in to find out what was happening. As he moved in, the crowd attempted to round him up. While trying to get away from them, he released a bullet from his rifle. A bullet hit one of the customers, who slumped.”

He further said: “Nobody knew that the victim, who was in the company of seven other men, was Air Force personnel.”

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Irene Ugbo, while confirming the incident, said that the Air Force officer was hit by a stray bullet, stressing that it was not the intention of the policeman to kill him.

Ugbo said: “The incident was actually an accident because the eight Air Force Officers were in mufti. It was after the incident that it was discovered they were Air Force personnel. When the victim was hit, he was rushed to the police clinic, where he was confirmed dead. The Commissioner of Police and the Air Force Commander are working together to ensure that the situation is brought under control. The policeman, who opened fire, was whisked away from the scene. His gun was taken from by the police command to avoid further situation. The suspect will be tried in Orderly Room, and if found wanting, will be sanctioned according to the law. However, investigation is ongoing.”