Police Confess Killing Enugu Lawyer in Error

The Kogi State Police Command has confessed to a fatal mistake in the killing of Barrister Elias Ugwu, a prominent lawyer from Nsukka, Enugu State. The incident, which occurred last Friday, has sent shockwaves through the community and the Nigerian Bar Association, leaving many in mourning.

According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Williams Anya, the police mistakenly identified Barrister Ugwu as a member of an armed robbery gang that had targeted several banks the day before. The lawyer, who was in the state to negotiate the release of his kidnapped cousin, was fatally shot in Anyigba by police officers.

The police operation stemmed from reports of armed robbers terrorizing Anyigba in Dekina Local Government Area. A tactical team was deployed to apprehend the culprits and restore order. Upon receiving information about suspicious individuals in a nearby bush, the team moved swiftly to investigate. When they attempted to stop a vehicle matching the description provided by villagers, the driver refused to comply and sped away.

In an attempt to halt the fleeing vehicle, police officers fired shots at its tires, causing it to come to a stop. Tragically, it was discovered that the car carried Barrister Elias Ugwu and two other individuals, identified as Chidi Anieke. Barr. Elias Ugwu, the driver, sustained fatal injuries and succumbed to them at Maria Goretti Hospital in Anyigba.

Anya’s statement clarified that the surviving passengers claimed they were in the area to negotiate a ransom for a kidnapping victim and were unaware of the recent bank robberies or the police presence. Consequently, they were mistaken for criminals involved in the earlier attacks.

The Commissioner of Police expressed condolences to the family of the deceased, acknowledging that the incident could have been avoided if the victims had complied with police instructions.