JUST IN: Police Arrest Two Over Shooting of Teen in Onitsha, Say Victim Was 17

The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two suspects in connection with the fatal shooting of a teenager in Onitsha, which sparked public outrage on Thursday. In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the police said the victim was a 17-year-old boy—not 12, as initially reported by eyewitnesses—and that he was hit by a stray bullet during an attempted arrest.

According to the police, the suspects—allegedly members of a security unit—were trying to apprehend someone in Onitsha Main Market when they began shooting indiscriminately. One of the bullets struck the teenager, who died on the spot. The statement also noted that a pump action rifle was recovered at the scene.

The incident, which occurred on Democracy Day, triggered anger among residents and traders in the area. Videos shared online showed a lifeless boy being carried into the back of a security van, prompting calls for justice and accountability. Witnesses earlier claimed that the victim was a 12-year-old boy who had been sitting quietly near a drainage and had not engaged in any wrongdoing before being shot.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikoiye Orutugu, described the actions of the suspects as unprofessional and avoidable. He has ordered that the two individuals be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Awka for further investigation.

While the police have now formally acknowledged the incident and taken steps toward a probe, their version of events contrasts with several eyewitness accounts, particularly regarding the age of the victim and the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Residents continue to demand a thorough and transparent investigation.