…As CP Orders Transparent Probe
THE Rivers State Police Command is grappling with an internal tragedy following the arrest of one of its own, Inspector Victor Okus for the alleged murder of a fellow officer and attempted murder of a second person in a shocking Sunday shooting at the Next Cash and Carry Supermart, Port Harcourt.
According to an official statement released, yesterday, by the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, the incident occurred while the victims were on a joint guard duty detail with military personnel. The deceased has been identified as Inspector Ibrahim Sani.
The statement detailed that Inspector Okus, reportedly attached to the 17 Police Mobile Force (PMF) and on special duty, allegedly opened fire on his colleagues. A second officer, Inspector Daniel Dauda, survived the attack but remains hospitalised with critical injuries.
DSP Turaki Hassan, Unit Commander of 14 PMF, provided grim specifics, confirming that both victims sustained gunshot wounds to the head and neck. Inspector Sani was pronounced dead at Nopsam Hospital, while Inspector Dauda continues to fight for his life. The body of the deceased has been moved to the Military Hospital Mortuary in Port Harcourt for preservation and autopsy.
In a swift response, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, has ordered what he termed a “comprehensive and transparent investigation” into the circumstances that led to the deadly altercation.
CP Adepoju condemned the incident in strong terms, describing it as a “reprehensible act.” He confirmed that the suspect, Inspector Okus, will first face an internal disciplinary process, known as an Orderly Room Trial, before being handed over for full criminal prosecution.
Issuing a stern warning to officers across the command, the Commissioner emphasised the grave responsibility of firearm handling. “Handling of firearms while on duty is a serious responsibility and not a routine task,” CP Adepoju stated. He urged all personnel to prioritise the safety of colleagues and the public to prevent a recurrence of such “tragedies.”
The Police Command extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Inspector Ibrahim Sani, assuring the public of its commitment to the highest standards of professionalism and accountability within the force. The incident has sent ripples through the police community, raising urgent questions about protocols and tensions during joint security operations.
