On April 3, 2023, policemen attached to the “C” Division of Plateau State Command killed Ibuchim Ofezie, a trader.

Five policemen had chased a commercial motorcycle rider through Ahmadu Bello Terminus Market in Jos, the state capital. They began shooting sporadically when they could not catch him.

One of the bullets they fired hit 17-year-old Ofezie who was in his boss’ shop on the first floor of a shopping complex. He died shortly after.

The State Police Command arrested all five policemen and pledged to take “disciplinary measures” against them. Two months after, sources told FIJ the police did not keep their promise.

“The police arrested all five policemen and detained them at the command, then invited Ofezie’s parents to see that they had been arrested,” a source who asked not to be named for security reasons told FIJ.

“The police later gave the family ₦3 million to bury their son, and then they set four of the policemen free. They are currently looking to set the last officer free.

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“When all five policemen were in custody, the police made them contribute and gather the money they gave the family.”

The source said the family took the money and let the matter go as they were not interested in a lengthy legal battle.

In a report published by Television Continental (TVC) in May, Alfred Alabo, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed the arrest of the five policemen involved and said the police would investigate and punish them. He never provided their names.

He also promised stern disciplinary measures against the policeman who pulled the trigger that ended Ofezie’s life.

Alabo said, “We’re almost through with the investigation. We know the officer that did this dastardly act, the appropriate disciplinary measure is being carried out upon him right now. We are just very saddened with the whole situation, and we truly commiserate with the family.

“I was made to understand that he is the only son of his father, who is also deceased.”

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Alabo said the police brought the family before Bartholomew Onyeka, the commissioner of police in the state, who showed them that the officers were in custody. “They saw them with their eyes, and they can testify,” he said.

The police promised to keep the public abreast of developments in the case, and assured of justice, but those officers the police said they showed the Ofezies, are no longer in custody, according to our sources, and the police has provided no updates.

FIJ called Alabo on Thursday, but he said he was in a meeting and was unable to take our call until a later time. We sent him a message he had not responded to as of press time.

On Friday, FIJ called Alabo again. This time, he accused our reporter of disturbing the police’s investigation and said the case was not our business.

Alabo said, “You are disturbing our investigation; these allegations are the works of mischief makers.” When FIJ asked if he could confirm if all five policemen were still in custody, Alabo said, “That is not your business for now.”

Ojukwu is a reporter with FIJ in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe.