MOBILE POLICEMAN MISTAKENLY KILLS SELF IN GRENADE EXPLOSION IN EBONYI

Reporter: AMECHI ODO

A Mobile Police Officer on special deployment to Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Mr. Idi Aminu, has lost his life in an accidental hand grenade explosion.

The incident, which occurred opposite Amizi Amangbala Primary School in Afikpo North, threw the area into panic as passers by scampered for safety.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ebonyi State, Mrs. Loveth Oda, who confirmed the development, explained that the policemen, who was an Inspector, mistakenly hit the lead of his grenade which was hanging on his waist with his elbow resulting in the deadly explosion.

She noted that the police officer was an operative of MOPOL 32 and not a suicide bomber as being circulated in the social media.

The PPRO said his remains had been evacuated to a mortuary.

She also cleared the air on alleged accidental discharge by a police officer at Government House Abakaliki, pointing out that though a bullet accidentally fired from an AK 47 rifle when police officers posted to the gate were cleaning their firearms, it never hurt or killed any of them.