A tragic incident unfolded in Minna, Niger State, when a female immigration officer, Assistant Superintendent of Immigration Christian Oladimeji, was accidentally shot by a police officer. The event occurred during a police operation led by ASP Ibrahim Audu Paiko of the ‘A’ Division Police Command. The patrol team was attempting to recover suspected stolen materials near the Obasanjo Complex when they were attacked by hoodlums.

According to sources, the police had noticed road construction workers carrying iron rods believed to have been stolen. When the workers spotted the patrol team, they abandoned the materials and fled. However, another group of workers and hoodlums suddenly attacked the police officers, pelting them with stones and damaging their patrol vehicle. In a bid to escape the mob, ASP Ibrahim Audu fired a shot, which inadvertently struck Oladimeji, who was passing by on a motorcycle. The force of the gunshot caused her to fall, resulting in a gunshot wound to her lap and additional injuries.

Oladimeji was quickly taken to Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Specialist Hospital in Minna for medical treatment. Doctors confirmed that she had suffered a fracture in her waist, but no bullet fragments remained in her body.

Confirming the incident, Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that the police officer responsible had been arrested and detained for disciplinary action. He reassured the public that a full investigation was underway. The authorities have called for calm as security forces continue their efforts to maintain peace in the state.

This incident occurred amid heightened tensions in Minna, where 25 individuals were recently arrested following a protest against rising food prices. The situation underscores growing concerns about law enforcement conduct and public unrest in the region.