The federal capital territory (FCT) command of the Nigeria police force has arrested and dismissed a policeman who allegedly killed Angela Igwetu, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Abuja.
Igwetu, who was allegedly shot by a police officer in the early hours of Wednesday, died at the Garki Hospital, Abuja.
Addressing reporters on Friday, Sadiq Bello, commissioner of police in the FCT, said necessary disciplinary procedures had been taken against the officer.
“He (suspect) has been dismissed from the force and arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction and he is currently on remand awaiting trial,” he said.
“It was alleged that the lady, one Angela Igwetu, stood up and brought out her head through the sun roof of a Toyota Camry car shouting and calling for help that she was kidnapped.”
He said the police claimed that they flagged down the vehicle but the driver refused to stop which made the police inspector to open fire on the vehicle which hit the deceased.
The commissioner said the command would not condone act of irresponsibility and incivility or outright criminality on the part of officers and men.
“They have always been admonished to be civil to members of the public and be professional in the conduct of their duties,” he said.
Bello appealed for calm and understanding from members of the public and family of the deceased as justice would prevail in the matter.
On the killing of the seven policemen, Bello said the dastardly act would not deter the police from performing its constitutional duties.
He called on members of the public to partner with the police to solve the security challenges in the FCT.
“We owe it a duty to arrest these criminals in order to assuage the souls of these young men so that they don’t die in vain,” he said.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident is still very sketchy; however, we want to assure members of the public that we will do whatever is necessary to unravel the mystery surrounding the incident.”