Forest officer, fleeing suspect drown in well in uncompleted building

Officer and Suspect Die in Delta State Incident

OGWASHI-UKU, Delta State — An officer with the Nigerian Forestry and Security Services and a man he was pursuing both died after falling into a well in an uncompleted building. The incident occurred during an operation in the Ogwashi-Uku area.

Delta State Police Command spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the details of the tragedy in a statement released on Friday. Edafe sought to clarify earlier reports suggesting that a police shooting had resulted in the deaths.

According to the statement, the incident transpired on May 14, when a joint patrol team of police and forestry personnel spotted two men, identified as Adama Augustine and an accomplice. Upon noticing the patrol team, the two men fled, prompting a chase by the pursuing officers.

As officers closed in, Augustine jumped into an uncompleted building, where both he and the pursuing officer fell into an abandoned well. They were later rescued and taken to Ogwashi General Hospital, where they were pronounced dead by medical staff.

Their bodies have been transferred to the hospital morgue, pending autopsy.

“This is a very painful and tragic accident,” Edafe said, extending condolences to the families of both the officer, Eze Ifeanyi, and Augustine. “We mourn with all those affected by this calamity.”

The statement emphasized that no shots were fired during the incident, and no individuals were killed by police action. An investigation into the event has already been initiated.

The command reassured the community of its commitment to public safety and urged residents to remain calm and disregard unfounded rumors. Police also requested ongoing public support and information to help prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Read Full Article