A tragic incident occurred in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Thursday when a police officer accidentally discharged his firearm, killing a young woman identified as Ifeoluwa Adekalu near Okela Police Station.
The police officer whose identity has not been disclosed, was arrested and detained following the accidental shooting which happened while he was reportedly celebrating a colleague’s promotion.
According to the PUNCH, eyewitnesses stated that the policeman had visited the Okela Police Station and, in a moment of excitement over the promotion news accidentally fired his gun.
One source explained, “He was in a joyous mood when the gun discharged. The victim was passing by in front of a shop opposite the police station when the bullet struck her. She was returning from paying her rent.”
Another source offered a slightly different version of events, stating that the victim was on her way to the police station when the incident occurred.
“She had just alighted from a commercial motorcycle and was approaching the station when the stray bullet hit her,” the source said.
Following the shooting, the victim was rushed to a nearby hospital in a bid to save her life but she succumbed to her injuries shortly after.
The Ekiti State Police Commissioner, Adewale Adeniran, confirmed the incident and assured the public that the officer responsible had been disarmed and taken into custody
“The officer in question has been disarmed and detained. He will face interrogation and possible disciplinary action in line with the Nigerian Police Act,” Adeniran stated.
The police commissioner did not reveal whether the officer would be prosecuted or the specific charges he might face, but internal disciplinary procedures have been initiated.
