Immigration Officer Escapes Death In Niger As Policeman Targets Hoodlums

An Assistant Superintendent of Immigration (ASI), Christian Oladimeji, narrowly escape death in Minna, the Niger State capital, after being hit by a stray bullet from a police patrol team.

Reports indicated that the incident occured when the Patrol team was attacked by hoodlums while trying to recover suspected stolen materials.

Counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, reports that the incident, which occurred around 12:30pm on Friday, saw ASI Oladimeji sustaining gunshot wounds.

Quoting intelligence sources, Makama said a surveillance patrol team from the ‘A’ division police command in Minna, led by Ibrahim Paiko, was on routine patrol near Obasanjo complex when they encountered a group of road construction workers carrying iron rods suspected to have been stolen.

According to the sources; “Upon noticing the Police, the workers abandoned the materials and fled. While the officers were attempting to recover the abandoned iron rods, they were suddenly attacked by a group of other road construction workers and hoodlums, who threw stones and other objects at them.”

The report further said; “The assault damaged the Dangote Patrol Vehicle used by the police. In an attempt to escape being overrun by the mob, ASP Ibrahim Audu fired a shot, which accidentally struck ASI Christian Oladimeji, who was passing by on a motorcycle.

“The bullet hit Oladimeji on her lap, causing her to fall from the motorcycle and sustain additional injuries. She was immediately rushed to IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna, where medical personnel confirmed that while no bullet fragments remained in her body, she suffered a fracture in her waist.

“Several suspects have been detained for questioning, while disciplinary action has been initiated against the officers involved.”

Meanwhile, authorities have urged residents to remain calm as security agencies continue efforts to maintain law and order in the ‘Power state’.

This is as a security insider was quoted as saying; “We are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident, and necessary actions will be taken” to ensure such does not repeat itself again.