Rivers: Policeman shoots father of three dead, command begins probe

<p>An operative attached to the Police Mobile Force, 43 Squadron in Gombe State has allegedly shot dead a father of three near a popular bar in Elekahia, Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State.</p>, <p>The incident occurred when the deceased identified as Olafuro Peterside went on an outing with his family.</p>, <p>It was gathered that the policeman who was in company of another (both from PMF 43-Squadron, Gombe) was on special duty in Rivers.</p>, <p>Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Saturday morning.</p>, <p>She however said from information available to her, the operatives shot into the air following an alarm raised by some residents that armed robbers were operating in the area.</p>, <p>Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, further said the two operatives at the scene of the incident had been arrested.</p>, <p>She further said the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department of the command for proper investigation.</p>, <p>“Yes, the command is aware of the incident. From the information at my disposal, the man was with his family.</p>, <p>“There was an incident of robbery in the area, so the policemen shot into the air in response to the alarm raised.</p>, <p>“So I think a stray bullet hit the man. The officers are from the PMF 43-Squadron, Gombe, but attached to special duty in Rivers State, ” Iringe-Koko explained.</p>, <p>While decrying the incident, the police image maker said the defaulting cop and his colleague were being interrogated, even as she appealed for calm.</p>