The Kogi state police command has opened up on the killing of Barrister Elias Ugwu in Alade village, Dekina Local government Area of the state.

The victim had gone to pay ransom for his kidnapped cousin when he ran into a police team that killed him mistakenly.

In a statement, the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP William Aya, said Ugwu died in an unfortunate incident.

He said the police tactical team of the command received a report from the villagers that some persons were sighted in a bush around Alade Village roaming up and down for two days, causing uproar in the community.

Based on the distress call, Aya said the police swung into action as the villagers emphasised that the “strange people” who were asking for directions were around the place where two vehicles and two motorcycles were abandoned by armed robbers who attacked Anyigba Banks a few days earlier.

Daily Trust had reported how some banks were attacked by robbers in Kogi last week.

“The Operatives promptly swung into action and in conjunction with the Local Vigilantes moved into the Area.

“When they sighted the car already described by the Villagers, they waved down the driver to stop but instead, he zoomed off. In a bid to stop the Car, shots were fired at the tyres of the Car which brought it to a halt,” the statement read.

On checking, he said it discovered the car conveyed three persons, (the driver and two others); with two men identified as Chidi Anieke and Elias Ugwu (as a driver), both of Nkanu and Ihiakpoka, Nsukka in Enugu state.

“The driver (Ugwu) sustained injury and was taken to the Maria Goretti Hospital, Ayingba for treatment where he gave up the ghost,” the statement read.

According to the police, on interrogation, the two surviving men stated that they were in Alade bush for ransom payment to secure the release of a victim of kidnapping.

Equally, the police stated further that the two men did not report or inform the police of the alleged kidnap incident or their mission in the area.

“Hence they were suspected to be part of the hoodlums that invaded Ayingba on 7Th March 2024, which led to the said encounter.”