There was outrage at Nkek community in Ukanafun local government as a police officer (name withheld) allegedly shot and killed Imo Sampson Ekanem, a final year Mass Communication student of Uyo City Polytechnic.
Ekanem, was shot dead over an argument which ensued between him and the police at a checkpoint, while on an errand on a motorcycle for his mother.
A resident of the community, Usung Simon, who confirmed the news said: “He was shot dead after a heated argument with one of the policemen attached to the special squad sent by the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Zubairu Muazu, to fight recurrent cult activities in our local government.
“Because the activities of the cultists are always carried out with the use of motorcycles, the Police have been conducting stop-and-search operations.
“So, they just stopped him and subjected him to a search and nothing was found on him, but we were surprised that the Police demanded for N100 bribe.
“His refusal to part with the money led to a heated argument between him and the Police, who opened fire on him at close range.”
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Chukwu Ikechukwu, DSP confirmed the development.
He said “the Commissioner of Police has ordered immediate investigation into the matter”.
Ikechukwu who said he was yet to get full details from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in-charge of Ukanafun, however, denied that the victim was killed over his refusal to part with N100.
He said, “what I first heard was that he (the deceased) was trying to collect riffle from the Police and the officer shot him in self defense.”
The PPRO disclosed that the policeman who had been arrested and detained at the Ikot Ekpene Area Command had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) at Ikot Akpanabia Command headquarters, Uyo.
He announced that the law would take its full course if the police officer was found guilty.
