An air force officer has been shot dead by a police sergeant Williams Inah attached to Squadron 11 of the police mobile force in Calabar, Cross River State.
Witnesses said the incident happened on Wednesday at the Automatic Teller Machine section of the Unity Bank branch on Marian Road in Calabar.
Mr Inah, who was on guard duty, was said to have fired his gun in self-defence when some customers attacked him.
A source said that a bullet from the policeman’s gun hit one of the eight Nigerian Air Force officers in plain clothes, who were among the bank’s customers at the ATM point.
Calabar police spokesperson Irene Ugbo has confirmed the incident.
“Our personnel heard a rowdy noise around the ATM and went there to find out what was happening.
“On getting there, he was attacked by bank customers and in a bid to defend himself, he released a bullet, which hit the air force personnel.
“The victim was in mufti at the time of the incident. He was rushed to the Police Clinic, where he was confirmed dead by the police doctor.
“The Commissioner of Police and the air force Commander have met over the issue and the situation is under control. We are investigating the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident,” Mrs Ugbo said.
Ugbo noted that Inah was taken into custody to prevent the situation from escalating, adding that he would be subjected to orderly room trial and if found wanting, he would face appropriate sanctions.
The identity of the slain air force officer could not be immediately ascertained as of the time of filing this report.
