Police probe officer over shooting of seven-year-old boy in A’Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has detained a police officer identified as Monday Okonta and commenced an investigation after a seven-year-old boy was injured during a stop-and-search operation in Uyo, the state capital.

This was contained in a statement signed and released by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, which was made available to newsmen on Sunday in Uyo.

According to the command, the incident occurred on Friday, September 11, 2026, at about 9:30 pm, along Abak Road in Uyo, involving personnel of the Quick Response Squad.

John said the police were on routine stop-and-search duty and later stopped a vehicle conveying members of a family.

She explained that during the encounter, a smoke pistol was discharged by one of the officers, resulting in an injury to the left hand of the boy who was inside the vehicle.

The statement read, “The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed, has ordered an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into an incident involving personnel of the Quick Response Squad (QRS), during which a seven-year-old child sustained an injury along Abak Road, Uyo, on 11th September, 2026.

“Preliminary information available to the Command indicates that at about 2130hrs, police personnel conducting a routine stop-and-search operation along Abak Road stopped a vehicle conveying members of a family.

“It was alleged that during the encounter, a smoke pistol was discharged by one of the officers, resulting in an injury to the left hand of a seven-year-old boy who was inside the vehicle,” the statement partly read.

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The command’s PPRO, while expressing concern over the incident, added that the Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, has assured the family that the command would establish the full circumstances surrounding the matter.

Upon being briefed, the CP immediately ordered that the officer allegedly involved, Inspector Monday Okonta, be identified, disarmed and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Uyo, pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation.

It was gathered that in a show of concern, the police boss visited the injured child at the hospital, interacted with the family, assessed the boy’s condition and assured them that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.

Azare reiterated that while officers will continue to carry out stop-and-search and crime prevention duties, such operations must be conducted with professionalism, restraint and respect for the rights of citizens.

He stressed that the Command would not shield or condone any act of misconduct or abuse of authority, and that appropriate disciplinary and legal actions will be taken if culpability is established.

The Commissioner appealed to the family and the public to remain calm and allow the investigation to run its course, assuring that the process will be transparent, professional and fair. He also stated that the child is presently in stable condition and responding to treatment.

Azare urged citizens to continue cooperating with police officers at lawful checkpoints, while assuring that genuine complaints against personnel will receive prompt attention.

“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command remains committed to protecting lives and property, upholding the rule of law and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and accountability. I urge members of the public to continue to cooperate with police officers at lawful checkpoints and stop-and-search points, as genuine complaints against personnel will continue to receive prompt and appropriate attention,” he added.