OZORO: A police officer in Delta State has been identified, arrested, and detained for allegedly shooting and killing a 17-year-old boy, Emeka Odogwu, in the Ozoro community of Isoko North Local Government Area.

The tragic incident occurred on Saturday night when police officers responded to a report of fireworks, also known as knockouts, found in the victim’s possession. Reports indicate that when the police attempted to arrest Odogwu, he resisted and tried to flee. In the process, one of the officers allegedly opened fire, fatally wounding the teenager.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident on Sunday, stating that the officer involved had been identified and detained. He also mentioned that the state Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, was handling the matter and had assured the family that justice would be served.

The human rights organization, Initiative For Social Rights Concerns And Advancement, also known as “No Justice, No Peace,” condemned the killing. The group’s National Coordinator, Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, called for a thorough investigation and for the responsible officer to be brought to justice.

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Agberen expressed condolences to the victim’s family and urged the people of Ozoro and Nigerians in general to remain calm and respectful, particularly when interacting with armed police officers. He further condemned the alleged unprofessional conduct of the officer involved in the shooting.

The incident has sparked outrage within the Ozoro community and across the state, with calls for accountability and justice for the young victim. Human rights organizations, residents, and advocacy groups have demanded that the police conduct a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

The Delta State Police Command has assured the public that the matter is being handled with the utmost seriousness, with the police officer in question already detained and an investigation underway