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Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police Baba Azare has said the command has arrested and detained a police officer identified as Inspector Monday Okonta for shooting a seven-year-old child who was inside a car with parents at a checkpoint along Abak Road in Uyo metropolis.
A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Timfon John, and made available to journalists in Uyo stated that the officer was arrested after he had shot a child during stop-and-search operations at Abak Road, where the child who accompanied his parents in a car sustained injuries on the left hand.
The statement reads in parts:
“The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, 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.”
John disclosed that the incident was brought to the attention of the Commissioner of Police, who directed that the officer allegedly involved, Inspector Monday Okonta, be identified, disarmed and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Uyo, pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation.
The spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police had personally visited the minor in an undisclosed hospital and interacted with the family.
“Demonstrating the seriousness with which the command views the incident, CP Baba Mohammed Azare personally visited the injured child at the hospital, where he interacted with the family, assessed the condition of the child and assured them that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.
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“The child is presently in stable condition and responding to treatment.”
John explained that the commissioner had expressed concern over the incident and assured the family of the injured child that the command would establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
She said the CP had warned officers to discharge their duties with a high level of professionalism, especially on stop-and-search, to protect lives and property.
John said the Commissioner of Police also emphasised that Akwa Ibom State Police Command will neither shield nor condone any act of misconduct, recklessness or abuse of authority by any officer.
“Accordingly, where the investigation establishes misconduct or culpability, appropriate disciplinary and legal measures will be taken in accordance with extant laws and police regulations.”
She said the CP appealed to the family concerned and members of the public to remain calm and allow the investigation to run its full course with assurance that the process will be transparent, professional and fair to all parties.
“The Commissioner of Police also urged members of the public to continue to cooperate with police officers at lawful checkpoints and stop-and-search points, while assuring citizens that genuine complaints against personnel will continue to receive prompt and appropriate attention.”
