The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has detained a police officer attached to its Quick Response Squad (QRS) after a seven-year-old boy sustained a gunshot injury during a stop-and-search operation along Abak Road, Uyo.
The incident occurred at about 9:30 p.m. on Friday, September 11, when police personnel stopped a vehicle conveying members of a family during a routine operation.
The Command said preliminary findings indicated that a smoke pistol was allegedly discharged by one of the officers during the encounter, hitting the child in the left hand.
Following the incident, the officer allegedly involved, Inspector Monday Okonta, was identified, disarmed and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Uyo, on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare.
The Police Command said the injured child was immediately taken for medical attention and is currently stable and responding to treatment.
In a move underscoring the seriousness with which the Command views the incident, CP Azare visited the child at the hospital and met with members of his family, assuring them that the circumstances surrounding the shooting would be thoroughly investigated.
The Commissioner said the Police Command would not shield officers found culpable, declaring that it “will neither shield nor condone any act of misconduct, recklessness or abuse of authority by any officer.”
Azare stressed that while police officers remained obligated to conduct lawful crime-prevention operations, including stop-and-search, such duties must be performed with “the highest level of professionalism, restraint, responsibility and respect for the safety and rights of members of the public.”
The Command said the investigation would be transparent, professional and impartial, adding that disciplinary and legal action would follow if the officer was found culpable under existing laws and police regulations.
Meanwhile, the Police urged the affected family and members of the public to remain calm while the investigation continues, assuring residents that complaints against its personnel would receive prompt attention.
