The Edo State Police Command was thrown into shock and mourning mood as a police Inspector, Jonathan Okouromi, reportedly shot dead one Sergeant Abosele Akhere at about 9 pm on Sunday during an operation.
NIGERIACRIME learnt that the tragic incident occurred in Ikponwosa/Egban community, Egor Local Government Area of Edo State when operatives of the state Police Anti-Kidnapping Squad and those of the Control Intelligence Rapid Response Squad embarked on an operation to apprehend some suspected cultists.
It was learnt that in recent times, Ikponwosa/Egban community had witnessed first-hand terrorising by the suspected cultists.
However, while the operation was ongoing, the late Sergeant Abosele Akhere was said to have apprehended a notorious cultist and prime suspect in cult-related activities, who was simply identified as ‘Raggae’.
“All of a sudden, Inspector Jonathan Okouromi just lifted his gun, pulled the trigger and shot Akhere from the back. Nobody knew what happened or why he did that. He just fired him from behind. The man fell immediately and started bleeding,” a reliable source, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed.
The source added that Sergeant Akhere was rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.
The said Inspector Okouromi was reported to have “escaped with his gun the moment he realised he had shot his junior colleague to death.”
Also, the arrested suspected cultist, Reggae also escaped, while one Mr Agbontaen Monday, a member Of the Eiye confraternity was arrested.
The fleeing Inspector Okouromi is still being searched for by the police in Ugbowo division, while the body of the slain police sergeant was deposited at the mortuary as the further investigation continues, it was learnt.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Edo State, Chidi Nwabuzor, said he was on holiday.
“I am on holiday. When I get to the office tomorrow, I’ll get the details,” he said.
Recall that a similar incident occurred in Rivers last week when one Inspector Nelson Abuante committed suicide after he mistakenly shot dead a colleague, one Inspector Monday Gbaramana, during an attempt to arrest a suspect in Rivers State.