The police in Enugu State have confirmed that operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit certainly shot a preferred entertainer, Izuchukwu Nnaji, throughout an operation within the state.
The police spokesperson within the state, Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a press release on Friday.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that lots of of offended youths, on Thursday, protested the killing of Mr Nnaji, popularly generally known as Stone, allegedly by the operatives.
This newspaper additionally reported that the late Nnaji was arrested at about 3 a.m. on Wednesday at The Bull Hotel in Enugu the place he had lodged after celebrating his birthday with pals on Tuesday night time.
But his physique was later found on the morgue of the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane, on Thursday, which prompted the youths to start the protest.
The taking pictures of Nnaji
In the Friday assertion, Mr Ndukwe, a superintendent of police, acknowledged that preliminary findings indicated that the operatives raided the Bull Hotel following a tip-off.
The spokesperson instructed that the operatives raided the resort as a result of a suspected infamous drug peddler and Vikings Confraternity member, Nworie Chidera Kelvin, in any other case generally known as “Akidi” lodged there together with his associates.
He claimed that “Akidi” was linked to a number of instances involving illegal firearm possession and cultism, together with one during which he was charged in absentia.
“He (Akidi) was additionally suspected of maintaining the gang’s firearms and different prison instruments.
“The operation led to the arrest of Akidi and 9 different suspects, comprising men and women aged 17 to twenty-eight.
“Quantities of dried weeds suspected to be ‘loud’ cannabis, a weighing scale suspected to be used for measuring illicit drugs, and ₦43,400 in various denominations were recovered,” he stated.
Mr Ndukwe additional claimed that, through the raid on the resort, Mr Nnaji and one other unnamed suspect jumped by means of a window in an try to flee.
“While pursuing them, an operative was confronted by each suspects, who allegedly tried to disarm him.
“In the following battle, the firearm discharged, leaving Nnaji with gunshot accidents, whereas the opposite suspect escaped.
“Nnaji was rushed to hospital, where he was later confirmed dead. His remains have been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy,” he narrated.
Investigation
The spokesperson, nonetheless, stated the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Bitrus Giwa, has ordered “a thorough investigation” into the circumstances surrounding the demise of Mr Nnaji through the operation.
He stated the commissioner has directed the assistant commissioner of police in command of the State Intelligence Department to determine the info of the incident and decide whether or not the operation and use of firearms complied with established operational requirements and extant legal guidelines.
‘Remain calm’
Mr Ndukwe stated the police commissioner has urged Mr Nnaji’s household and associates to “remain calm.”
The police chief, in line with the assertion, assured them that the circumstances surrounding the incident could be completely investigated and that any officer discovered culpable would face acceptable disciplinary motion.
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He reiterated that professionalism, moral conduct and strict adherence to operational requirements, notably these governing using firearms, must not ever be compromised in any police operation.
Not the primary time
PREMIUM TIMES recollects that the most recent incident occurred about 18 months after a police inspector killed a preferred musician, Chikezie Mba, in Enugu State.
Mr Mba, popularly generally known as ‘Igbo Jah,’ was shot lifeless by the inspector on the Anti-Cult Unit of the Enugu State Police Command in October 2024.
The police authorities later identified the inspector as Joseph Ozonwanji, dismissed and arraigned him for killing the musician.
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