The Imo State Police Command has dismissed a Police Sergeant, Abu Itam, for killing a 20-year-old truck conductor identified as Ifeanyi Okafor.
The incident, which occurred on February 9, at about 5: am at a T-junction adjacent to the Okwelle Police Divisional Headquarters in the Onuimo Local Government Area of the state, sparked bad blood among the youths.
The sergeant and three of his colleagues were on a stop-and-search duty on the expressway in the early hours of that day when they asked the truck driver with registration number AAH 229 XA and other vehicles to clear off the road.
The dismissed officer later asked other vehicles to go, leaving behind the deceased and his driver, Ifeanyi Nwankwo because of the altercation he had earlier with the conductor.
The problem degenerated when the conductor approached the sergeant to ask why he was still keeping them.
Itam, who was holding an AK-47 rifle, was said to have shot the 20-year-old three times on his neck at close range and fled the scene, Okafor died immediately.
Reacting to the incident, angry youths in the area regrouped and attacked Okwelle Police Divisional headquarters. They set the station at ablaze after breaking the perimeter fence at the back, but the fire was quickly put out before it could do much damage.
The state commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, who confirmed the dismissal on Monday, said Itam would be arraigned soon.
Ezike said Itam and other officers who were on duty during the incident were tried at the Police orderly room in Owerri over the death of the conductor and the ex-sergeant was found guilty of unprofessional conduct.
Ezike said,
“I can confirm that Sergeant Abu Itam has been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force. The Police orderly room trial found him guilty of unprofessional conduct.
“He is in our custody and would soon be arraigned. Other officers who were on duty but were not part of the murder were also tried. They would be punished as well. They are likely to get demoted.”
PUNCH
