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Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo

THERE was pandemonium in Iwofe Area of Port Harcourt on Sunday when a navalrating shot a police constable to death after a heated argument over agirlfriend.

The police constable, who was identified as Osaro Osame, was said to be on a special duty at Saipem, an oilservicing company, before he was killed.

PUNCH METRO gathered that Osame, who was in company of a lady, had engaged the naval rating in an altercation over the woman.

Angered by the constable’s audacity, the naval rating (name withheld) brought out a rifle and shot Osame at close range.

Those around the area, according to an eyewitness, took to their heels whenthey heard the sound of a gunshot after the disagreement between thetwo security agents.

The police constable, according to an eyewitness died on the spot while the naval rating was arrested after the incident.

“The sound of the gun really made people to be afraid. Those who werecurious after they heard the gunshot went straight to the scene of theincident to see things for themselves,” an eyewitness said.

Confirming the incident, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Dr.Rita Inoma-Abbey, said the incident took place at about 1.30am onSunday.

Disclosing that the naval rating was arrested by the Navy Command, Inoma-Abbey said the suspect would soon be handedover to the state police command.

She said, “One police constable, Osaro Osame of the 45 Police Mobile Force on a special dutyat Saipem, Port Harcourt was shot dead by a naval rating at about 0130hours today (Sunday).

“The deceased left camp in company with a lady. It is highly suspected that the lady may be the cause ofthe misunderstanding between the naval rating and the deceased.”

Inoma-Abbey said the lady, who was suspected to causing rift that led to the policeman’s death, was in police custody.

She said the policeman’s corpse had been deposited in a mortuary, addingthat the Criminal Investigation Department of the state police commandhad begun investigation into the incident.