A 17-year-old boy, Emeka Odogwu, was reportedly shot and killed by a police officer in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State. The incident occurred on Saturday night when police officers confronted the teenager after fireworks, commonly referred to as knockouts, were found in his possession.
Efforts to arrest the boy were allegedly resisted, and he attempted to flee, prompting one of the officers to open fire. The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the incident, stating that the officer involved has been identified, arrested, and detained.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, assured the public that the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, is personally handling the matter and has promised justice for the victim’s family.
Reacting to the development, a human rights group, Initiative for Social Rights Concerns and Advancement, also known as *No Justice, No Peace,* condemned the killing. The group’s National Coordinator, Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, called for a thorough investigation to ensure that the officer responsible is brought to justice.
While expressing condolences to the victim’s family, Agberen urged community members to remain calm and approach such situations with civility when dealing with armed police officers. He described the act as a gross violation of professional conduct by the police.
