Rita Odafe
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory, Bennett Igweh, has refuted claims that his officers were involved in the death of a teenager in Kubwa, FCT.
A viral video alleged that a teenager was shot and killed by the police while dispersing protesters in Kubwa.
However, the spokesperson for the FCT command, Josephine Adeh, stated on Saturday that the police officers deployed in the area did not have lethal weapons that could result in a fatality.
She clarified, “In response to the circulating video alleging the police killing of an unidentified teenager in Kubwa near Zenith Bank during a protest on August 3, 2024, the FCT police command denies these claims. The officers stationed in the area were not armed with lethal weapons but only equipped with non-lethal riot gear.”
Expressing outrage over the incident, she mentioned that the Commissioner of Police had initiated an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.
Adeh added, “Following this concerning event, the police commissioner has ordered a prompt investigation to determine the cause of the teenager’s death. The community is urged to provide any pertinent information to assist in the investigation.
“While extending heartfelt sympathies to the deceased’s family, he assures them and the public of swift justice, as endeavors are underway to apprehend those responsible for this regrettable incident.
“Furthermore, the command acknowledges the potential dissemination of misinformation by troublemakers seeking to exploit the situation to sow fear; hence, residents are urged to ignore such deceitful information. The police remain committed to safeguarding the security and well-being of all community members.”
