A police inspector serving at the Ekiadolor Area Command in Edo State was shot dead on Friday by gunmen during a routine stop-and-search operation in Benin, the state capital.
CSP Moses Yamu, spokesperson for the Edo Police Command, confirmed the incident in a statement released to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to Yamu, the attack occurred around 12:00 pm when an unregistered black Lexus SUV with heavily tinted windows approached a checkpoint but refused to stop after being flagged down.
“The suspicious actions of the vehicle’s occupants led officers to conduct further checks. Tragically, one of the occupants opened fire at close range, killing the Inspector instantly, before fleeing the scene,” he said.
Following the incident, Edo State Police Commissioner Monday Agbonika has ordered a full-scale investigation and launched an intensive manhunt for the perpetrators.
All intelligence and operational resources are being deployed to apprehend the suspects.
Yamu urged the public to assist law enforcement by providing credible information, particularly about any vehicle matching the suspect description.
Residents can report tips to the nearest police station or via the command’s emergency lines: 08037646272 or 08077773721.
He reassured citizens that the command remains committed to protecting lives and property, and security measures have been intensified across the state as the yuletide season approaches.
