Awka.
A 10-year-old boy haa accidentally shot and killed his father, a serving police officer, with an AK-47 rifle assigned to him for official duties.
Our correspondent gathered that the incident, which also left the child’s older brother injured, occurred in the evening of Saturday, June 15, in the state capital, Awka.
The deceased, Inspector Okoile Amechi, was attached to the Anambra State Police Command.
According to police authorities, the fatal shooting was a result of a “firearm mishandling incident” involving the officer’s child.
In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, the police confirmed that the young boy, unaware that the weapon was loaded, mistakenly pulled the trigger.
“The child, not knowing the condition of the rifle, accidentally fired it. The bullet struck Inspector Amechi in the back and also injured his other son in the hand,” Ikenga said.
Inspector Amechi was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His injured son is currently receiving medical treatment.
The service rifle has since been recovered, and the inspector’s remains deposited in the morgue, police said.
The Anambra State Police Command described the incident as a “devastating loss” and assured the public that an internal investigation is underway to determine how the firearm came into the child’s possession.
“Our thoughts are with the family during this tragic time. We are also ensuring that the injured child receives the best medical care,” SP Ikenga added.
Some residents of Awka who reacted to the tragic incident noted that, although it appears accidental, the handling and storage of service weapons,especially within officers’ homes,must be critically reviewed to prevent a recurrence of such tragedies.
Source:247.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
