Police chasing murder suspect kill passenger in Edo

Operatives of the Edo state police command on Friday killed a passenger while chasing a fleeing murder suspect in Benin City, the state capital.

It was gathered that the police, acting on intelligence, were chasing one Ebuka Nwaechie, who was said to be involved in the alleged murder of one Bright Orikose on December 24,2020.

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The incident, which happened along First East Circular road by ST. Joseph Catholic Church, saw one of the officers firing a shot in the bid to restrain the fleeing suspect from escaping but the bullet penetrated a moving vehicle and hit one of the occupants, Moses Adams.

The state command’s spokesperson, Bello Kingstons who confirmed the incident, said the officer had been arrested.

He said the operatives of the anti-kidnapping and cybercrime unit of the command got information that a fleeing murder suspect was sighted in the area.

“So, the police swung into action to arrest the murder suspect, but an officer fired a shot to restrain the suspect from escaping, unfortunately, the bullet penetrated a moving vehicle and hit one of the occupants on his thigh.

He said the victim was rushed to Edo Specialist Hospital, where he died.

According to him, the officer who fired the shot had been identified and would be subjected to administrative trial that would determine his culpability.

He said the commissioner of police has directed the criminal investigation department to carry out discreet investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.