Police detain officer over gunshot injury to 7-year-old

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has detained one Inspector Monday Okonta over the gunshot injury sustained by a seven-year-old boy during a routine stop-and-search operation in Uyo.

The boy was allegedly injured in the left hand when a firearm discharged while Inspector Okonta, a personnel of the Quick Response Squad (QRS), was conducting the operation along Abak Road on September 11, 2026.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement in Uyo, saying the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, had ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. (NAN)

John said preliminary information indicated that at about 9:30pm, police personnel conducting a routine stop-and-search operation along Abak Road stopped a vehicle conveying members of a family.

She said, “It was alleged that during the encounter, a smoke pistol was discharged by one of the officers, resulting in an injury to the left hand of a seven-year-old boy who was inside the vehicle.”

According to her, immediately the incident was brought to the attention of the commissioner, he directed that the officer allegedly involved be identified, disarmed and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Uyo, pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation.

John said CP Azare also visited the injured child at the hospital, where he assured the family that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.

She added that the child was in stable condition and responding to treatment.

The spokesperson said the command would not shield or condone any act of misconduct, recklessness or abuse of authority by its officers.