The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has ordered an immediate and impartial investigation into the shooting incident involving a seven-year-old boy during a stop-and-search operation along Abak Road, Uyo.
The incident occurred at about 9:30 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026, when personnel of the Police Quick Response Squad stopped a vehicle conveying members of a family.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the Command said preliminary information indicated that a smoke pistol was allegedly discharged by one of the officers during the encounter, injuring the boy in the left hand.
The officer allegedly involved, Inspector Monday Okonta, has been identified, disarmed and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Uyo, on the directive of CP Azare, pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Commissioner also personally visited the injured child at the hospital, where he met with the family, assessed the boy’s condition and assured them that the circumstances surrounding the incident would be thoroughly investigated.
The Command said the child was stable and responding to treatment as of the time of the statement.
Expressing concern over the incident, CP Azare assured the family that the Command would establish the full circumstances surrounding what happened.
He stressed that although police officers must continue to perform their lawful responsibilities, including crime prevention, stop-and-search operations and the protection of lives and property, such duties must be carried out with professionalism, restraint and respect for the safety and rights of members of the public.
The Commissioner said the Command would neither shield nor condone misconduct, recklessness or abuse of authority by its personnel.
He added that if the investigation establishes misconduct or culpability, appropriate disciplinary and legal measures would be taken in line with extant laws and Police regulations.
CP Azare appealed to the family and members of the public to remain calm and allow the investigation to take its full course, assuring that the process would be transparent, professional and fair to all parties.
He further urged members of the public to continue cooperating with police officers at lawful checkpoints and during stop-and-search operations, assuring that genuine complaints against personnel would receive prompt and appropriate attention.
