Police Officer Accidentally Shoots Immigration Officer in Niger State

A police officer in Minna, Niger State, has accidentally shot and injured an immigration officer, Christian Oladimeji, an Assistant Superintendent of Immigration (ASI). The incident occurred around 12:30 pm on February 21 when a police patrol team was recovering stolen materials.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the surveillance patrol team from the ‘A’ Division Police Command in Minna, led by Ibrahim Paiko, was on routine patrol near Obasanjo Complex when they encountered a group of road construction workers carrying iron rods suspected to have been stolen. Upon sighting the officers, the workers, about seven in number, abandoned the materials and fled.

As the officers attempted to recover the abandoned iron rods, they were suddenly attacked by other road construction workers and hoodlums, who threw stones and other objects at them. The assault also damaged the Dangote patrol vehicle used by the police. In an attempt to prevent the officers from being overrun, Ibrahim Audu fired a shot that accidentally struck Oladimeji, who was riding a motorcycle at the time. The bullet hit her on the lap, causing her to fall and sustain additional injuries.

Oladimeji was rushed to the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna, where medical personnel confirmed that while no bullet fragments remained in her body, she suffered a waist fracture. Doctors have assured that she is in stable condition and receiving medical attention.

Several suspects have been arrested for questioning, and disciplinary measures have been initiated against the officers involved. Meanwhile, authorities have urged residents to remain calm as security agencies work to maintain law and order. A security source stated that a thorough investigation is underway and necessary actions will be taken.