A 21 years 200-level student of Computer Science in the Nasarawa State University identified as Ikechukwu Godwin, has been reportedly shot by the Nigerian police at a checkpoint in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
It was gathered that the incident occurred at FO1, a residential layout in Kubwa, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory at around 7pm on Saturday.
The father of the victim who spoke with SaharaReporters on Sunday alleged that Ikechukwu was shot after the policemen accused him of being an internet fraudster and demanded N200,000 from him.
He explained that the son fell into a nearby gutter after his foot was shot, while the policemen ran away.
The victim’s father said some ‘Okada riders’ (motorcycle taxi riders) brought Ikechukwu home, adding that his son was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment.
According to him, the doctor said two of his bones were broken by the bullet.
Ikechukwu is still at the hospital.
He said, “Ikechukwu Godwin is my last son. Yesterday, November 9, 2024, at about 6:40pm to 7pm, Ikechukwu went to one of the Sokale’s communities to visit his friends. On his way back, the moment he alighted from a commercial Keke Napep (tricycle), over five policemen surrounded him. They accused him of being an internet fraudster, and he told them that he is not.
“They collected his phone and searched it. When they couldn’t find anything, the policemen handcuffed him and demanded N200,000. He told them that he had no means of getting such an amount of money and they gave him his phone to make calls.
“He started making calls but in process, the police said he was wasting their time. Then, one of the police personnel moved back and shot my son in the leg. He fell into nearby gutter the policemen ran away. Over 8 Okada riders brought him home.
“Right now, we are at the hospital where the doctor confirmed that two of his bones have been broken.
“Some policemen are here with us asking questions, they promise to investigate the matter.”
However, Josephine Adeh, the FCT police command spokesperson, promised to call back when SaharaReporters contacted her for reaction.
She had yet to do so as at the time of filing this report.
