Police dismiss Sergeant who killed 20-year-old truck conductor in Imo

The Imo State Police Command said it has dismissed a Police Sergeant, Abu Itam, who allegedly killed a 20-year-old truck conductor, Ifeanyi Okafor.

Itam had shot Okafor during a stop-and-search around 5am at a T-junction adjacent to the Okwelle Police Divisional Headquarters in the Onuimo Local Government Area of the state on February 9, 2018.

The officer and three of his colleagues had sked the tipper driver with registration number AAH 229 XA and other vehicles, including trucks, to clear off the road.

Itam and his colleagues then delayed the tipper in the deceased and his driver, Ifeanyi Nwankwo, were in.

Ifeanyi had approached the officers for explanation on why his truck was being delayed when Itam shot him on the neck three times at close range.

Itam fled the scene seeing the damage he had caused.

The incident caused the youths of the area to attack Okwelle Police Divisional headquarters.

They set the Police division ablaze after breaking the perimeter fence at the back, but the fire was quenched before it could do much damage.

Police commissioner in the state, Chris Ezike, confirmed Itam’s dismissal and said he would soon be arraigned in court.

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Ezike said Itam and other Police officers who were on duty during the incident were tried at the Police orderly room in Owerri over the death of the 20-year-old.

“I can confirm that Sergeant Abu Itam has been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force. The Police orderly room trial found him guilty of unprofessional conduct,” he said.

“He is in our custody and would soon be arraigned. Other officers who were on duty but were not part of the murder were also tried. They would be punished as well. They are likely to get demoted.”