Police inspector ‘killed by warning shot fired by colleague’ in Jos market

The Plateau police command says Emmanuel Tanko, an inspector, has been killed by a warning shot fired by a colleague during a clearance operation in Jos market.

In a statement on Thursday, Alfred Alabo, police spokesperson in Plateau, said the officer who fired the shot has been arrested.

Alabo said the corpse of the inspector had been deposited at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Jos for an autopsy.

“The joint task force comprising personnel from the Police, DSS, NSCDC, Immigration, FRSC, and Operation Rainbow saddled with the responsibility of ensuring sanity in the Jos Terminus Market area, while conducting a clearance operation today, met stiff resistance from a mob,” the statement reads.

“After all efforts by the team to bring the situation under control proved abortive, an officer from one of the sister agencies fired a warning shot, but unfortunately, one inspector, Emmanuel Tanko, with AP. No. 336714 attached to 38PM Akwanga, who is on special duty in Plateau state command, was hit by the bullet and died on the spot.

“In a bid to restore normalcy to the state, the commissioner of police, Plateau state command, CP Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, psc, visited the scene to assess the situation.

“The officer was immediately arrested, and he is currently under investigation at the state CID in Jos, while the victim’s corpse was deposited at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Jos for an autopsy.

“On this note, the Plateau State commissioner of police wishes to extend his condolence to the family of the deceased officer and the entire Nigeria Police Force over the tragic loss of this diligent and dutiful officer.”

The commissioner called on residents to cooperate with the security agencies while discharging their duties, adding that the officers were enforcing laws for the good of the citizens.