Enugu CP Orders Probe into Suspect’s death during Police Raid

….. Warns Against Misconduct

By Venica Uchechukwu, Enugu

The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has ordered a thorough investigation into the death of Nnaji Izuchukwu, who sustained gunshot injuries during a police operation at a hotel in Enugu metropolis.

The police commissioner directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID) to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether the operation and the discharge of the firearm complied with established operational standards and extant laws.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement, explaining that the incident occurred during an intelligence-led

operation by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).

According to the statement, preliminary findings indicated that the operatives raided Bull Hotel, Asata, Enugu, acting on intelligence that Nworie Chidera Kelvin, popularly known as Akidi, was lodging there with associates.

Akidi was described by the police as an alleged drug dealer and member of the Vikings Confraternity, with suspected links to several cases involving unlawful possession of firearms and cult-related activities. 

The statement also said he had previously been charged in absentia in one of the cases.

The police said Akidi was suspected of keeping firearms and other criminal tools for his gang, prompting the operation at the hotel.

The raid reportedly resulted in the arrest of Akidi and nine other suspects, comprising males and females aged between 17 and 28.

Items recovered during the operation included quantities of dried plant material suspected to be cannabis, popularly known as loud, a weighing scale suspected to have been used for measuring illicit drugs, and ₦43,400 in various denominations.

The statement further explained that during the operation, Nnaji and another suspect allegedly jumped through a window in an attempt to escape from the operatives.

While pursuing the fleeing suspects, an operative was reportedly confronted by the duo, who allegedly attempted to disarm him, leading to a struggle during which the officer’s firearm discharged.

Nnaji sustained gunshot injuries in the incident, while the other suspect reportedly escaped. The injured man was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he was later confirmed dead.

His remains have since been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy as investigations continue to establish the full circumstances of his death.

Reacting to the incident, CP Giwa appealed to the deceased’s family, associates and other concerned persons to remain calm and allow the investigation to proceed.

He assured them that the command would thoroughly examine the incident and take appropriate disciplinary action against any officer found culpable.

The commissioner reiterated that professionalism, ethical conduct and strict adherence to operational guidelines must be upheld in all police operations, particularly those involving the use of firearms.

He stressed that the investigation was aimed at establishing the facts surrounding the incident and ensuring accountability where any breach of the law or established police procedures was found.