A 27-year-old convict, Ibrahim Yahaya, has been shot dead in Abuja by some corrections personnel.
He allegedly jumped down from the vehicle conveying him to prison in a bid to escape, causing the operatives to open fire.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to her, the convict, was apprehended by the operatives of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) Task Force, and after trial by a Mobile Court sitting in Wuse Market was convicted.
“The convict, alongside others were being conveyed to the prison, when he reportedly jumped from the vehicle and took to his heels in an attempt to escape.
“Two armed corrections personnel, who were in the vehicle, went after him and in the process, shot him.
“The convict was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors on ground confirmed him dead,” she said.
She then explained that the development led some irate mobs who witnessed the situation to commit arson, by setting ablaze eight vehicles and 10 shops in the environ.
She said the situation generated uproar from residents but was brought under control by combined effort of the Federal Fire Service and other security agencies.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of the FCT, Mr Benneth Igweh, had promptly encouraged residents to peacefully go about their lawful businesses without fear because ‘normalcy had been restored’.
The then CP urged residents to report suspicious activities to the police through 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883.
Chinedum Anayo