A Mobile Police officer attached to the 43 PMF of the Lagos State Police Command has been murdered on New Year’s Day in Adamawa State.
It was gathered that the officer, identified as Inspector Richard Felix, was attacked at Sangamu Hotel, Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa by some men at about 12:10 a.m. on Monday.
The police in Jambutu were said to have raced to the scene of the incident, where the 46-year-old policeman was discovered with severe injuries on his chest, our correspondent reliably gathered.
The cop was rushed to the Specialist Hospital in Yola, where he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.
“We learnt that some thugs attacked the policeman who was not in uniform. We did not know why he was attacked. When police officers in Jambutu got to the scene, they rushed him to the Specialist Hospital in Yola, but the doctor said be was brought in dead already,” a source said
It was gathered that the body of Inspector Felix had been deposited at the mortuary for an autopsy.
One person has been arrested in connection with the incident.
The arrested suspect, who also sustained injuries during the incident, is said to be in hospital for medical attention.
The Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, Suleiman Nguroje, confirmed the incident on Monday.
Nguroje said, “It’s true. We got the report; we rushed him (Inspector Felix) to the hospital. He was killed. One suspect was even arrested. The Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be transferred to the State CID for us to know who were the attackers, who were behind it and what prompted it. As soon as that is done, we will make sure the law takes its course.
“We condemn the incident in totality. The life of a policeman is equally the life of a Nigerian. So, we cannot in anyway fold our hands to allow somebody take the life of an officer, simply because he is a policeman or because they are thugs. Whatever it may take, the law must take its course.”
Asked to know why the Lagos cop was in Adamawa State, Nguroje replied: “We’ll investigate. Already, somebody who has been attacked and killed can’t be asked questions. What we are doing now is that, the command has taken over investigations.
“We have to communicate them officially (in Lagos) to let us know why he was in Adamawa. Was he on casual leave, annual leave, on special assignments or whatever? But right now, I cannot ascertain what brought him here. But actually, he is confirmed dead and the command is investigating the circumstances that led to his death.”