Five dead, four injured as police officer goes on shooting spree in Enugu

A police inspector has been arrested in Enugu, after a shooting spree on Sunday that resulted in the death of five persons.

Four others, who also sustained injuries, are currently receiving treatment at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital.

Confirming the incident in a statement, the state police command said it was unclear what led the police officer to shoot sporadically.

The officer, who reportedly attacked a neighbourhood in Golf Estate, GRA, Enugu, is said to be attached to a lottery company in the area.

Mohammed Aliyu, Enugu commissioner of police, in the statement issued by Daniel Ndukwe, spokesman of the command, said the police officer has been taken into custody, pending the conclusion of investigation.

“The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Aliyu, has ordered the deputy commissioner of police in-charge of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department to carry out thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the shooting incident,” the statement reads.

“The incident involved a police inspector attached to the Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 9, Umuahia, Abia, and said to be on duty at a lottery company located within the Golf Estate.

“The commissioner made the order after visiting the hospital where four of the persons said to have sustained gunshot injuries are receiving treatment.

“Five others, whose injuries were critical, have been confirmed dead by doctors on duty and deposited in the mortuary for autopsy.”

The police commissioner also sympathised with the family and friends of the deceased persons and urged them to remain calm while the police concludes its investigation.

Aliyu also urged residents who witnessed the incident to come forward with information.

On his part, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, governor of Enugu, sympathised with the victims when he visited those who were hospitalised.

While promising that the state will cover the medical bills of the affected persons, he also condoled with the families of the deceased.