A heartbreaking incident unfolded in Awka, the capital of Anambra State, on Sunday when a 10-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his father, Police Inspector Okolie Amechi, using the officer’s service AK-47 rifle.
According to reports gathered by PUNCH Metro on Monday, the same bullet also injured the officer’s second son, Emmanuel, in the hand. The unfortunate event, which took place at their residence, occurred as a result of an accidental discharge.
The young boy was reportedly handling the AK-47 rifle issued to his father when he unintentionally pulled the trigger. The bullet struck Inspector Amechi in the back and also injured his brother in the hand.
The tragic event has reportedly plunged the Anambra State Police Command into deep mourning.
In a press statement confirming the incident, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesperson for the command, stated that Inspector Amechi was declared dead by a doctor at the hospital where he was taken, while the injured son was receiving treatment.
Ikenga said, “The Anambra State Police Command has expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident that resulted in the death of Police Inspector Okolie Amechi in Awka.
The incident, which occurred on the evening of June 15, 2025, was allegedly due to an accidental discharge by his 10-year-old son. The son unaware of the state of the AK-47 rifle assigned to the Inspector, pulled the trigger and struck the Inspector on the back and his second child on the hand.
Regrettably, Inspector Amechi was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty at the hospital, while the second victim was said to be responding to treatment.”
He also confirmed that the AK-47 rifle had been recovered, and the late officer’s body had been deposited at the morgue.
“The command while wishing the second victim a quick recovery, condoles with the family and friends of the late Inspector. Further developments would be communicated accordingly, please,” Ikenga added.
PUNCH Metro had earlier reported in August 2024 that gunmen had targeted a police checkpoint near Nnobi Police Station in Idemili South Local Government Area.
That attack occurred about three weeks after gunmen also struck a checkpoint on Omata-Nnobi Road in Nnewi, Nnewi North LGA, where an officer was killed and an explosive was reportedly used.
A local source revealed that during the incident, a police officer who was the driver of a patrol vehicle was shot dead.
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