The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has detained one of its officers for allegedly shooting and injuring a seven-year-old boy during a stop-and-search operation in Uyo, the state capital.

The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, ordered the detention of the officer, Inspector Monday Okonta, and directed that an investigation be conducted into the incident, which occurred last Friday.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement.

According to John, Inspector Okonta was conducting a stop-and-search operation along Abak Road when he stopped a vehicle conveying members of a family.

He said a firearm was discharged by the inspector during the encounter, resulting in an injury to the left hand of the seven-year-old boy who was inside the vehicle.

The command said the officer remained in detention as investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident continued.

The command said the officer remained in detention as investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident continued.

The statement read, “Preliminary information available to the Command indicates that at about 2130hrs, Police personnel conducting a routine stop-and-search operation along Abak Road stopped a vehicle conveying members of a family.

‘It was alleged that during the encounter, a smoke pistol was discharged by one of the officers, resulting in an injury to the left hand of a seven-year-old boy who was inside the vehicle.

“Immediately the incident was brought to the attention of the Commissioner of Police, he directed that the officer allegedly involved, Inspector Monday Okonta, be identified, disarmed and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Uyo, pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation”.

The police spokesperson also revealed that CP Azare visited the injured child at the hospital to assess the condition of the child while pledging to cooperate with the family of the victim.

“Demonstrating the seriousness with which the Command views the incident, CP Baba Mohammed Azare personally visited the injured child at the hospital, where he interacted with the family, assessed the condition of the child and assured them that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.

“The child is presently in stable condition and responding to treatment. CP Azare expressed concern over the incident and assured the family of the injured child that the Command would establish the full circumstances surrounding the matter.

“The Commissioner of Police reiterated that while officers of the Command will continue to discharge their lawful duties of crime prevention, stop-and-search and protection of lives and property, such duties must at all times be carried out with the highest level of professionalism, restraint, responsibility and respect for the safety and rights of members of the public.

“He further emphasized that the Akwa Ibom State Police Command will neither shield nor condone any act of misconduct, recklessness or abuse of authority by any officer”. (The Nation)