Correctional Officer in FCT Police Custody for Shooting Fleeing Convict

Following an incident at Wuse Market in Abuja, where a correctional officer identified as Usman Magaji shot a fleeing convict named Ibrahim Yahaya, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command has made an arrest. The situation sparked outrage, leading to an angry mob setting fire to shops in the market.

This information was disclosed by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, in a statement released on Tuesday. The incident occurred after Yahaya attempted to escape following a conviction by a Mobile Court at Wuse Market.

The FCT-Emergency Management authority confirmed that a fire destroyed 10 shops in the market, with the cause still under investigation.

According to the preliminary investigations, Yahaya was apprehended by the Abuja Environmental Protection Board task force and taken to the mobile court, which convenes every Tuesday. Despite the exact nature of his offense not being specified, Yahaya was convicted and being transported to prison when the shooting occurred.

The correctional officer involved, CA2 Usman Ishaya Magaji, is currently in police custody as the investigation unfolds. The statement also mentioned that Yahaya, after attempting to escape, was pursued by two armed corrections personnel who shot him. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries upon arrival at the hospital.

In response to the ensuing chaos, irate onlookers set ablaze eight vehicles and ten shops in the vicinity. The combined efforts of the Federal Fire Service and other security agencies were instrumental in extinguishing the flames and restoring order to the area.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Benneth Igweh, has assured residents that normalcy has been reinstated, urging them to carry on with their activities peacefully and without fear.