Monday, January 11, 2010

Police officer kills driver over bribe

A commercial bus driver in Enugu, Mr. Chijioke Ugwu, was shot and killed by a Police Inspector attached to Enugu State Police Command, Mr. Pius Agbo on Saturday for allegedly refusing to give the bribe demanded by the policeman.


The late Ugwu, who hailed from Amagunze in Nkanu East Local Government Area, was shot dead by the trigger-happy policeman during a heated argument over payment of a certain amount of money as bribe.


An eyewitness said Ugwu, driver of an L-300 Mitsubishi bus with plate number, AA 756 AYB, refused to give money at the police check point, insisting he had paid earlier but the Police Inspector, who was provoked by his explanation pulled his trigger suddenly and shot him.


The driver was said to have died on the spot.


Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relation Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu described the incident, which occurred at Awkunanaw area of the coal city as unfortunate.


Amaraizu said Inspector Agbo had since been arrested and was facing "orderly room trial" at the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Command.


He said Agbo would be dismissed and charged to court to face the full weight of the law if found guilty as charged.


Citing Force Order 237, the command's spokesman said every policeman was trained on how and when to use the gun as well as the implications of being careless with it.


The PPRO said, "this matter is really unfortunate because the said Ugwu is dead. But we are not taking the matter lightly. Agbo already knows what he is in for. Investigation is on-going in the matter and by Monday (today), you know what next.


"It is sad that such an incident is coming now that the police is doing everything possible to restore people's confidence in the Force. We will keep the fight on because there is a tremendous change," Amaraizu said.


Vanguard


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1 comment:

  1. Its a pity someones life is lost, but I doubt if a sane policeman will just pull his trigger at a person because he refused to give him bribe which he is prohibited from taking in the first place, but each time a police officer kills on the road this story is always the same. If we continue painting our police and our country in bad light we will be treated as such whenever we leave the sures of our land. I think its better for journalist to be more investigative in reporting sensitive issues, they should always endeavour to hear the other side of the story from the police officer who allegedly shot, to respect the hallowed maxim/ rule of natural justice: audi alteram partem

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