A police inspector, Okolie Amechi, has died following an “accidental discharge” by his 10-year-old son in Anambra.
In a statement, police spokesperson in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the incident occurred on Sunday evening at the inspector’s residence in Awka, the state capital.
According to Ikenga, the child pulled the trigger unaware that the AK-47 rifle assigned to his father was loaded, shooting the inspector in the back and injuring his younger sibling in the hand.
He said the inspector was immediately taken to a nearby hospital but was confirmed dead by the doctor.
The statement reads: “The incident occurred inside the family residence in Awka when the young boy, unknowingly handling an AK-47 rifle assigned to his father, discharged the weapon.
“The bullet struck Inspector Amechi fatally in the back and also injured one of his other children in the hand.
“The wounded child is reportedly responding to treatment in the hospital, while Inspector Amechi was confirmed dead on arrival by the attending doctor.
“The rifle has since been recovered by authorities, and the body of the deceased officer has been deposited in the morgue.
“The command deeply regrets this unfortunate incident and extends its condolences to the family and friends of the late officer. We also wish the injured child a speedy recovery.” (Daily trust)
