Akwa Ibom Police: Inspector Monday Okonta Akwa Ibom Investigation Launched

• A seven-year-old boy was injured in his left hand by a smoke pistol discharged by a police officer during a stop-and-search operation in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on September 11, 2026.
• Inspector Monday Okonta, the officer allegedly involved, has been identified, disarmed, and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department.
• Akwa Ibom Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed, ordered an immediate, thorough, and impartial investigation into the incident.
• The CP visited the injured child in the hospital, assured the family of justice, and emphasized that disciplinary and legal actions would be taken if culpability is established.
• The police command reiterated its commitment to professionalism, restraint, and respect for citizens' rights during stop-and-search operations, vowing not to shield officers involved in misconduct.

The Akwa Ibom police officer shooting has prompted significant concern within the community and among law enforcement officials.

A seven-year-old boy sustained injuries to his left hand during a routine stop-and-search operation conducted by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command's Quick Response Squad (QRS) in Uyo. The incident, which occurred on Friday, September 11, 2026, at approximately 9:30 pm along Abak Road, involved police personnel stopping a vehicle carrying a family. During the encounter, a smoke pistol was discharged by one of the officers, leading to the boy's injury while he was inside the vehicle.

Following the incident, Inspector Monday Okonta, the officer allegedly involved, was identified, disarmed, and subsequently detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Uyo. This immediate action was taken pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event. The Akwa Ibom police officer shooting has prompted significant concern within the community and among law enforcement officials.

Preliminary information gathered by the Command indicates that the injury was sustained when the smoke pistol was discharged. The incident was officially reported in a statement released on Sunday in Uyo by Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Akwa Ibom State Command, confirming the details of the injury and the ongoing probe.

Commissioner of Police (CP) Baba Mohammed of the Akwa Ibom State Command has initiated an immediate, thorough, and impartial investigation into the incident. The CP's directive underscores a commitment to establishing the full circumstances that led to the seven-year-old boy's injury during the stop-and-search operation. The investigation into Inspector Monday Okonta's actions is expected to be comprehensive, aiming for transparency and fairness.

Demonstrating personal concern, CP Baba Mohammed visited the injured child at the hospital, where he interacted with the family and assessed the boy's condition. During this visit, the CP assured the family that the matter would be thoroughly investigated, emphasizing that the command would not condone any form of misconduct or abuse of authority. The boy is currently reported to be in stable condition and responding well to treatment.

CP Baba Mohammed has reiterated that appropriate disciplinary and legal actions will be taken against any personnel found culpable. This stance highlights the command's commitment to police accountability and ensuring justice for the affected family. The Uyo police brutality investigation is being closely monitored for its adherence to due process and its potential impact on public trust.

This incident brings into sharp focus the ongoing scrutiny of police conduct during routine stop-and-search operations, a recurring theme in discussions about Nigeria police stop-and-search misconduct. While acknowledging the necessity of such operations for crime prevention, CP Baba Mohammed stressed that they must always be conducted with the utmost professionalism, restraint, and respect for citizens' rights. The command's firm position is that it will not shield any officer found to have engaged in misconduct or excessive force.

CP Baba Mohammed appealed to both the family and the wider public to maintain calm and allow the investigation to proceed without interference, assuring them of a transparent, professional, and fair process. He also urged citizens to continue cooperating with police officers at lawful checkpoints, promising that all genuine complaints against personnel would receive prompt and appropriate attention. This commitment is crucial for fostering public confidence in law enforcement.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command reaffirms its dedication to protecting lives and property, upholding the rule of law, and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and accountability among its ranks. The outcome of the Inspector Monday Okonta Akwa Ibom investigation will be a significant indicator of the command's resolve to address issues of police excessive force Nigeria and reinforce ethical policing practices.

This incident highlights the ongoing scrutiny of police conduct and accountability during routine stop-and-search operations in Nigeria. Lawyers advising clients on human rights, civil liberties, or those considering litigation against state actors for excessive force should monitor the outcome of this investigation for its implications on police accountability and potential legal precedents in Akwa Ibom State.

Source: Original reporting via The Punch