The Enugu State Police Command says it has launched a thorough investigation into the alleged shootingto death of a middled age man identified as Smith Odinaka.
The victim is suspected to have been killed at a checkpoint.
The incident, it was gathered, happened on Sunday, October 13, 2024 along Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway near Mercedes Benz Company.
It was said that some policemen, at an extortionate checkpoint, shot the victim in his Mercedes car after he reportedly refused to give them money.
A statement on Wednesday night by the command’s spokesperson DSP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the incident.
Ndukwe said that the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, to launch a comprehensive investigation into the alleged shooting and murder of the deceased.
Ndukwe said that the incident, which occurred around 1 a.m, has so far not been linked to any police officer or police team as investigation is ongoing.
He quoted the Commissioner to have assured the public that all necessary efforts will be made to identify and apprehend the perpetrators and to ensure that justice is served.
According to the statement, “Preliminary findings indicate that the victim was driving a Mercedes Benz car in the company of two of his male friends when a gunshot, allegedly fired by individuals suspected to be security agents, struck the vehicle. Smith Odinaka sustained a gunshot wound to his left hip.
“He was rushed to the hospital but was later pronounced dead by the attending doctor, and his body deposited in the mortuary, pending an autopsy.
“However, contrary to circulating reports, the ongoing investigation has not yet linked the crime to any police officer or police team.
“Nonetheless, intensive investigative efforts are underway to uncover the truth, and the findings will be made public once available,” the statement partly read.
