Plateau State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of five policemen in connection with the shooting of a trader, Ibuchim Ofezie, to death at Terminus Market, in the Jos area of the state.
Our correspondent reports that the victim was killed by a stray bullet shot by one of the policemen who were trying to arrest illegal tricycle operators using their operations to cause traffic in the area on Monday.
A trader, who did not want his name in print, told our correspondent that the policemen were chasing tricycle operators when one of them opened fire and the bullet hit the victim.
The police public relation officer, Plateau state Police command, DSP Alfred Alabo who confirmed the arrest of the five police patrol operatives attached to “C” Division of Plateau State Command, said they are currently being investigated at the Homicide Section of the Plateau State Criminal Investigation Department Jos (SCID).
DSP Alabo in a press statement said the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Police Command, CP Bartholomew N. Onyeka has condemned the killing of the 17-year-old teenager who is a resident of Agingi Community of Bassa Local Government Area.
The teenager (Name withheld) died when police shoot into the air to scare and disperse the riders and growing crowd when a stray bullet hit him in one of the storey building housing several shops distance away from the scene killing him instantly.
The police high command have met with the family of the deceased with a promise to bring to justice those responsible for the death of the teenager assuring that the culprits would be thoroughly investigated and made to face the wrath of the law.
Normalcy has since returned to the area with reinforcements of security personal to forestall any further breakdown of Law and order.
