The Bayelsa State Police Command says it will launch an investigation into circumstances leading to the death of a robbery suspect who was trying to escape arrest.
A statement issued by the Bayelsa Police Command Public Relations Officer, Asinim Buswat, explained that the deceased suspect who had been previously arrested alongside another male for robbing phones at gunpoint on the 18th March 2021, attempted to escape while being taken to search their hideout to recover the gun used in the operation.
According to Buswat, one of the suspects in a bid to escape climbed into the ceiling and jumped out, but received an injury on the neck. The statement further noted that a locally-made gun was recovered in the ceiling, while the suspect was certified dead at the Federal Medical centre in Yenagoa, where he was taken for treatment.
It was learnt that the incident created unrest at the Ovom area where a crowd reportedly protested over the death of the youth whom the police said had confessed to the crime upon interrogation.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Mike Okoli has appealed for calm and ordered a full-scale investigation to unravel circumstances leading to the death of the suspect.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has also waded into the matter, ordering for an autopsy to be carried out to determine the true cause of death
Governor Diri who is presently in Uyo, Akwa Ibom for a three-day retreat with his cabinet, after being briefed, said his administration ‘would ensure perpetrators of the dastardly act is uncovered and brought to book ‘.
Also calling for calm, the Governor who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, described human life as sacred and said his government would not shy away from protecting it.
